Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Does this mean that, in the event of CIE being unable to make the saving the Minister is seeking, €36 million is still available that has been reassigned from the projects mentioned and not spent on the original plans? I asked the Minister before what projects this money was taken from but I have yet to get an answer.

How does the Minister see CIE being able to make the necessary changes within the next two months if it is to come under €36 million? The Minister said he has not cut off the funding but he has put it up to CIE to find the savings in an exceptionally short timeframe. Depending on the strength of the Minister's position, this could spell disaster for public transport. CIE has cut services in rural and urban areas to balance its books and that is impacting on the company's ability to maintain its comprehensive network. Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus face a deficit of €40 million this year. While it is always possible to make savings, the scale the Minister is demanding makes it very difficult. It is my view the only way this can be dealt with is to increase fares and reduce services. When the Minister was in opposition, he hit out at fare increases, and he was right to do so, but he seems to have changed his mind.

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