Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There is a robust plan in place. The subvention will decrease this year. The planned subvention for this year is €226 million. That has to be the case, obviously, in light of the economic situation. I would like to give the Deputy some welcome news. Recent figures have shown that the number of people travelling across the various services is stabilising and in some cases is on an upward trajectory. We are quite happy about that. We project that a number of the commercial plans that have been put in place by the various subsidiaries could be quite successful. While there is a long road ahead, I assure the Deputy that day-to-day active engagement with CIE is at a level it has not previously been at. I am well aware of the Deputy's concerns about the historic operation of CIE. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is taking a significant active role with CIE on a day-to-day basis to ensure it will continue as a going concern into the future.

See this speech in context