Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

This week we saw a new train fare structure rolled out around the Dublin area. While I welcome the simplification of fares, because I believe it was necessary, and also the reduction in fares for some towns, towns such as Greystones and Kilcoole have seen significant increases. This is really difficult to understand considering our transport emissions, the fact that we have to reduce emissions, the fact that we are not on track to do that, and the risk of having €20 billion in fines imposed on us by the EU if we do not meet our targets in this regard. The fare in Greystones has gone up by 30% for adults and something like 200% for a child, which is just incredible. Will the Government direct Iarnród Éireann to reduce the fare increases we have seen? As a matter of general principle until we get our transport emissions under control, there should be no increase in public transport fares for passengers.

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