Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

In the two most recent budgets, particularly the one introduced in April, the allocation in respect of transport was severely cut. There was a major cutback in the provision of public transport and some 300 buses were removed from the road. I was recently lectured by both Deputy Ciarán Cuffe and the Minister in respect of the Dublin city bus gate. However, both of them voted for a reduction of 300 buses in the fleets of Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus. The Road Safety Authority's budget was slashed by €2.8 million and the allocation relating to park-and-ride facilities was largely removed. In addition, there was a series of cutbacks in respect of important transport developments. I agree with Deputy Bannon with regard to the roads budget.

Is it not a terrible prospect that the Department, which has a relatively small budget when compared to some of its bigger counterparts, is facing into some severe cutbacks that will impact very negatively on public transport? The old Fine Gael mantra regarding subsidisation and rolling it up for three or four years in the context of the PSO for public transport was repeated earlier today. Dublin Bus has one of the lowest public subsidies of any major urban bus company in Europe. In addition, Bus Éireann is paid a derisory subsidy of 12%. Its counterpart in Belgium receives a subsidy of 78%.

I am tired of hearing the same old ráiméis. I am also tired of people making vindictive and vicious attacks on the public sector and public transport. Senator Ross - who will never be a Deputy - has a vicious and vindictive attitude towards the public sector and public transport.

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