Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is clear from the Tánaiste's response that she understands the gravity of the situation and the importance of Irish Rail's activities. I think she appreciates the important work the workers are doing. It is fine that she has made those observations, but in her position as Tánaiste she is in a position to make a substantial contribution to resolving this issue. I suggest the Government needs to interface with management and set out in a clear way how it intends to increase the level of subvention that is required by our public transport system in a growing economy. Like the Minister for Finance, who was displaced from his seat beside the Tánaiste a few moments ago by the Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, the Tánaiste regularly tells us about the positive impact of the 6% growth in the economy. I remind them that the growth in the economy is accompanied by an increased demand for infrastructure to be provided by the State. When the economy is growing, the demands on the public transport system are growing. That requires further investment. I would have thought it would be important for workers and management alike to see some degree of certainty about how the Government intends to address that funding requirement into the future. I do not want to be political when I say it is important for the Government to set out a clear strategy. It is not enough for it merely to observe; it needs to make an input. Unions and workers are fair-minded people. They need certainty. They need to know that the Government supports the entire public transport infrastructure. They would be forgiven for questioning that because, as the Tánaiste-----

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