Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like to take up a couple of the Deputy's points. She is correct in that subvention, costs or an increase in revenue are the only solutions to the problem. I am sure the Deputy realises, as much as anybody else in the House, that the condition of Íarnród Éireann is worse than critical. We have an annual crisis. As a result, I have commissioned the rail review which will be released next week. It will address the three problems in the broader sense.

The Deputy will be aware that the subvention will increase for Íarnród Éireann next year. Increasing revenue by raising fares is not something of which I am in favour but, as the Deputy acknowledged, it is not something over which I have any great power. The net effect of this will not increase costs. Rather, it is an effort to be more equitable and measure fares as consistently as possible in terms of distance. That is done by categorising places into different zones.

The Deputy made a comparison with Bray, which is a particularly strong case. She knows I have a vested interest in the station - it is not in my constituency but it is on my doorstep. I will ask the NTA to examine that case and revert to the Deputy because it may be indicative of distances not being completely consistent throughout the country. One of the areas in her constituency is obviously suffering as a result. An adult journey from Houston Station to Sallins in Naas which currently costs €8.70 will be reduced to €4.60 or €3.56.

See this speech in context