Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In 2013, CIE received €408 million in current and capital funding from the Government. I am absolutely aware of the hardship the fare increases have caused, due in part to the terrible difficulty the economy is in. I have said that, as we can rebuild the level of funding, I hope and expect what has happened over the past number of years does not happen again in terms of frequency or magnitude of fare increase.

The figures speak for themselves in terms of how much funding has been made available. It amounts to over €400 million and, in response to a priority questions from Deputy Niall Collins earlier, I indicated I will look to increase the level of funding and capital funding for the group to make further support available to it.

The question for Deputy Coppinger is where she believes the money could be found. Does she believe the fares should be scrapped, does she believe further money should be made available and, if so, from where?

See this speech in context