Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

An increase of €28 million in the public service obligation subvention to the public transport companies was provided for in budget 2016. As this is the first time this has been done on such an enormous scale, I suggest that any ordinary person who is aware of the increase, including anyone who works in the CIE group of companies, will see it as a significant vote of confidence in public transport in Ireland and a commitment to the future of rail services. More important, as the Deputy is probably aware, work is under way at the moment to reopen the two-track tunnel under the Phoenix Park that has not been used for decades. This demonstrates that the Government is fully committed to public transport. The tunnel in question will be open this time next year. It will give people coming from Cork and particularly from south Kildare on commuter lines direct access into Connolly Station. That is an absolute vote of confidence in the future of rail in Ireland.

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