Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)

In my portfolio I have travelled around the country quite a bit and engaged in dialogue with the relevant workers. As recently as yesterday, I met workers during my travels. In the case of CIE, I will continue to engage with the workers informally and their representatives formally. The situation is not pretty and is difficult to address, as I hope the Deputy appreciates. Passenger numbers have decreased by 21.7% from their height in 2007, while revenue has decreased by €56.8 million, or some 11.4%, from its height in 2008. The reduction in the subvention from its height of €45.6 million in 2008 was necessary. It is a difficult scenario. There will be a 20% reduction in subvention from 2012 to 2014.

There is a cost recovery programme and the Deputy is aware of what is happening in Irish Rail. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the position of Bus Éireann or Dublin Bus as those companies are in the middle of negotiations. We are considering various other mechanisms to try to improve the volume of people using public transport in conjunction with the great efforts of unions with management in maintaining or limiting costs across the three organisations. I encourage the Deputy, as a spokesperson on transport, to be part of the discourse in promoting public transport. Recently there was the launch of the national route planner, the Leap card and real-time passenger information. There are also other initiatives, including rolling out Wi-Fi across a number of services. We must get more people using public transport. We all have a responsibility in this regard given the very difficult position in which we find ourselves.

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