Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

With regard to whether I was informed of the cuts, I informed CIE of the 10% rate increase and of its subvention. In turn, it informed me of what this would mean and that ultimately the company would end up losing €100 million unless cost and efficiency measures were taken. Dublin Bus expects loses of €31 million. As I stated to the Deputy it is not open to me under law or competition rules to further subsidise a company or to put further money into it. The taxpayers of this country are paying €313 million into public transport. The Deputy is well aware that we do not have the freedom and flexibility we had previously with regard to the amount of money we can invest. It must be spent very efficiently and well.

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