Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

One can increase the numbers by ensuring that buses are fuller by providing the type of service that consumers want. The subsidy has increased substantially over the past ten years because the number of buses, capital expenditure and the service have improved. Admittedly, in recent years the number of passengers has decreased.

With regard to Deputy O'Dowd's final point, he completely misunderstands the role of the National Transport Authority. It is not possible for it to advertise or put in place any new public service obligation routes without opening it up to competition. The commercial market has been open for many years.

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