Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

There have been significant improvements, especially in Iarnród Éireann and the infrastructure. I welcome such proposals as the underground DART plans and new signalling on the Malahide route inward, which will increase capacity from 12 to 20 trains per hour and make a substantial difference to the throughput. However, the Minister stated that since 1997 the allocation has increased from €133 million to €330 million. I realise much of that allocation is capital, but Government proposals to increase competition, especially bus competition, have not come to fruition to date. Part of the problem, enunciated by my colleague, Deputy Broughan, today, is that dozens of Dublin Bus routes are being cut and some 120 buses will be put in mothballs. This is a result of the policy of the Government not to introduce competition to bus routes, although that was promised ten years ago. Such a move would help to reduce the taxation subsidy to CIE.

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