Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 33: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the application by CIE for a 9% increase in fares for 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41996/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

CIE has applied for an average increase in 2007 of 9% in Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann fares and a 10% increase in Bus Átha Cliath fares. CIE has based its application on a projected 6% increase in costs in 2007, plus a 3% to 4% increase to meet historical fuel cost increases over recent years which CIE contends have not been adequately dealt with in previous fare increases. CIE's application is under consideration in my Department and I intend to announce a decision in the matter shortly.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I asked the Minister for his views on CIE's application for fare increases. The reason for the annual request for exorbitant fare increases is that the public funding it receives is completely inadequate. Does the Minister accept the level of subvention he is providing to the three transport companies which make up CIE is inadequate to allow them provide the type of service the public expects?

The latest figures indicate that out of 16 major European cities, Dublin is bottom of the list with a subvention rate of 26%. This compares poorly with, for example, Stockholm at 54%, Paris at 58%, Milan at 63%, Brussels at 67% and Luxemburg at 78%. We all marvel at the wonderful public transport services in the foreign cities we visit and imagine how wonderful it would be if it were the same in Dublin. The reason that is not the case is the inadequate funding; the Government is trying to provide a public transport system on the cheap. It simply cannot be done with a subvention rate of 26%.

What is the Minister's view on public transport subvention? Has he any intention of moving closer to the European average, for example, of some 50%? In regard to CIE's application for fare increases, does he accept that to sanction such increases at this point would amount to an additional tax on public transport users? These are the people who take the environmentally friendly and sustainable option. For this reason, increases should be ruled out and the Minister must secure a commitment from the Minister for Finance that adequate funding will be provided for public transport.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not accept the Deputy's contention. The total subvention from the Exchequer in the period 2000-06 is more than €1.76 billion, an increase of more than 60%. The CIE companies will have grown from €190 million in 2000 to more than €306 million in 2007.

Perhaps we might look at the other side of the coin and consider whether we are more efficient than other states in our delivery of public transport and that we do not need the same level of subvention as is required in other cities. Could it not be that we do things well when it comes to the provision of public transport?

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

How can the Minister be so out of step with reality?

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

He must be joking.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is it ever within the ambit of the Labour Party to admit that anything works well in this country?

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

An efficient public transport system cannot be operated on the cheap.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am proud of what the CIE companies do. The Labour Party view on this is entirely different to mine. We all agree, however, that there is an onus on the companies to ensure value for money for taxpayers and to produce efficiencies in a modern competitive environment. We must acknowledge that they have been working to achieve that.

My view on the application from CIE is that the increases sought are excessive. I am seeking further information to back up the request for such significant increases, an average of some 9.5% across the companies. If we maintain public transport in Dublin city at a good level, more people will be encouraged to use it.

The most successful light rail system in Europe is Luas. There is no comparison in any other country. Light rail projects in other countries have only achieved high-peak capacity whereas Luas has defied expectations in that it also has off-peak capacity. This year it is running a surplus with no subvention required. That is unique in Europe. Rather than criticising our public sector companies that deliver public transport, we should acknowledge the successes they have brought about.

Donie Cassidy (Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Hear, hear.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Luas is not a public sector company.

Johnny Brady (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What does Deputy Shortall have to say to that?

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

How can the Minister say Luas does not have a subvention? Luas has been given considerable road priority and expensive road space in the Dublin area for free. As Dublin Bus has pointed out, if its buses were given anything like the same priority as Luas, it would have a wonderful service. Dublin Bus is losing €60 million because of traffic congestion and the absence of adequate bus priority measures. Its entire subvention is being eaten up by the cost of congestion.

Does the Minister accept that the fundamental problem with public transport is that its subventions are inadequate? Is he prepared to move closer to the European model where, on average, public transport subvention averages at 50%? He cannot maintain it can be done cheaply without the level of funding provided everywhere else. The best models in Brussels, Paris and every other European city provide good public transport, have a real alternative to using the car and keep traffic moving in the city. We cannot do that because we have inadequate public transport.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not accept that public transport is badly subvented.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The figure stands at 26%.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The rail network is expanding. The Labour Party believes everyone will stop using their cars if there are more buses, but that is simply not the case. Alternative modes of transport attract people to public transport and, as much as it galls the Deputy, Luas proves the point.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is not about alternative modes, it is about adequate public transport.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

More than 60% of Luas users, approximately 16 million people in passenger journey terms, stopped using their cars.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

They came off the buses and that is why the buses were moved elsewhere.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

They did not. It was the remaining 40% that came off the buses. The Labour Party does not support light rail.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It was the Labour Party that proposed the light rail project in the first place. It was the Minister who butchered it.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister should stop distorting the facts.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Labour Party constantly criticises public transport policy but Deputy Shortall has not put forward one alternative mode of transport for Dublin city.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Why is the Minister distorting the facts? Why does he not answer for the fact that he has not provided adequate public transport?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I reject the Deputy shouting me down.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will he provide adequate funding?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I listened to the Deputy and she should at least listen to my response.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister should stop distorting the facts and answer for his own stewardship.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I respected the Deputy's time when she was speaking and I ask that she shows me the same respect when I am responding to her.

Donie Cassidy (Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Hear, hear.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Where are the extra buses the Minister promised?

Noel O'Flynn (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Cork city has 30 extra buses.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The problem is the Deputy does not like the answers and she does not like the success we are bringing to the country.

Donie Cassidy (Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Hear, hear.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister should say that to people waiting for buses this evening.