Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. It is important to point out that the cut to the subsidy last year was approximately €5 million. The cost-cutting measures being sought in the company at present are to the value of approximately €5 million. Our subvention is one of the lowest in Europe and I do not understand what the Department has done in the negotiations with Dublin Bus.

Has the Minister been involved? Has he made a proper analysis of the cuts and the effects they will have on services? We have already seen some of those effects. In addition, Bus Éireann ticket prices have risen, which is defeating the purpose. The idea is to try to get more people to use Bus Éireann and thus increase passenger numbers in that service. The Minister, however, is deterring people from doing so. Is that his policy? He is driving a privatisation agenda instead of working on behalf of a service that is there for people, young and old, including the disabled. Is it all about profit? We cannot work everything on the basis that it will, and must, be profitable. The State has to take a hit in some way.

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