Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this truly Topical Issue. I share their disappointment that we have seen a second day of strike action at Iarnród Éireann but I am pleased, as I am sure they are, that both sides have accepted an invitation from the Labour Court to attend talks tomorrow morning. Deputies know I have consistently stated that difficult matters like these can only be resolved through open, constructive and realistic engagement between the company and its employees. I encourage both sides to engage constructively on the matter, as I am sure they are now intent on doing.

I have responsibility for policy and overall funding for public transport.

I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. Industrial relations and pay are a matter for the company and its employees. I have made clear time and again that I will not intervene in areas where it is not appropriate for a Minister to intervene.

In relation to funding of our public transport services I recognise that subvention levels were reduced during the recession, as the Deputies frequently and rightly point out. Most areas of public expenditure were reduced. However, the public service obligation, PSO, subvention increased last year, again this year and will increase yet further next year. Over the three years subvention will have increased by some 35% in total. In 2018, €285 million of Exchequer - taxpayer - funds will be allocated. The precise allocations to the individual transport companies will be decided by the National Transport Authority, NTA, in accordance with the various contract arrangements. Iarnród Éireann receives a significant portion of the total PSO funding available for all the public transport companies. In 2016 alone, it received 57% of the total PSO funding available for the CIÉ group and carried about 20% of the total passengers.

In budget 2018 we also announced €2.7 billion of Exchequer capital investment in public transport infrastructure and facilities over the next four years under the capital plan. This represents a 30% increase over the original capital plan allocations for 2018 to 2021 and will allow roll-out of a number of key infrastructure programmes to address congestion and emerging capacity constraints on our public transport system. The forthcoming ten year national investment plan, to be published in the coming months, will provide a ten year capital envelope for public transport to 2028. In answer to the question from Deputy Munster, a few months ago I made a commitment to engage in a dialogue with a wide range of public transport stakeholders and the process for setting this up has already begun. A constructive meeting took place on 10 July with all relevant trade union representatives and I found the exchange to be both useful and informative. I requested each of the unions to make submissions on the format and issues that might be covered by the proposed dialogue. They expressed an eagerness to do so and I look forward to receiving all of those submissions. Only one has been received to date. As previously indicated in this House, I would also welcome any suggestions that opposition spokespersons, including the two Deputies here, might have. However, as I have frequently stated, the proposed dialogue cannot take place under the threat of or during industrial action. I hope we will be able to go ahead with that dialogue shortly.

I welcome the intervention of the Labour Court and hope that the discussions, which will start tomorrow, will provide the basis for a lasting agreement between the company and its employees. It is vitally important for the travelling public and also for the staff and for the company itself that public transport continues and that the dispute is resolved in a realistic, fair and sustainable manner.

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