Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Transport the recommendations he has made on the proposed public service obligation funding for Irish Rail for 2010; if he has been informed by Irish Rail of the service reductions on DART, commuter and other rail services in the new 2010 rail timetable; his plans for improved rail services in 2010, 2011 and 2012; if these plans will include a national rail freight strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46097/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The 2010 provision for the funding of public transport PSO, public service obligation, services provided by the CIE companies will be published shortly as part of the budget. It will then be a matter for the national transport authority to determine, in the context of the direct award public service contracts recently concluded with the companies, the allocation of this funding across the three CIE companies.

The Exchequer subvention to Irish Rail in 2009 towards the cost of loss making services is €175.78 million – an increase of 50% on the 1997 level. Despite this high level of Exchequer support and a fares increase of 10% in 2009, Irish Rail, in common with the other CIE companies, is facing a very difficult financial position in 2009 with a projected operating loss of approximately €16 million. In response, Irish Rail is pursuing a cost recovery plan including service changes that reduce costs while maintaining services at the highest level possible. Service and timetable changes in 2009 and subsequent years are an operational matter for Irish Rail and, in the context of the contract for PSO services, for the national transport authority.

The position in respect of rail freight is that I propose to establish a forum on the movement of goods in 2010, as set out in the Smarter Travel policy paper. My Department is currently undertaking preparatory work on the membership, tasks and timescales for the forum. The potential for rail freight and its role within an integrated freight transport strategy will be among the matters explored by the forum.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Does the Minister ever examine the rail timetables? I have the new timetable before me, effective from November. It is quite clear there has been a significant deterioration in services. I am informed by Rail Users Ireland that the service between Dublin and Drogheda has been especially badly hit. The services from Dublin to Limerick and Dublin to Cork are also badly hit. The journey times are considerably longer. I am informed that during the 1940s the trip from Nenagh to Limerick took approximately 40 minutes but it now takes 62 minutes. In general terms, there appears to have been a significant deterioration. The number of trains in the southside DART network during rush hour has been reduced and the northside network is also a good deal slower. There is a litany of deterioration throughout the country. I refer to the constituency of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. The trip from Rosslare to Galway requires four changes, which is ridiculous. The rush-hour train service on the Sligo to Dublin line has deteriorated. This timetable shows a litany of deterioration in services for commuters and rail passengers.

Is it not the case that the real author of this timetable is the Minister, Deputy Dempsey? The Minister slashed the PSO by €6 million last year. I presume it will be slashed again this evening, although I hope not. The Minister referred to the PSO but Irish Rail has always had a subsidy of between 42% to 45%, dating back to the period to which the Minister referred, namely,1997. Is the Minister not giving the rail users of Ireland a worse service, despite the fact that only some months ago he stated he sought to get half a million people out of their cars and onto the trains?

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy frequently conveys various powers on me but I do not draw up the timetable.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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The Minister cut the money.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Every now and again I examine the timetable to see the services available at various times. Iarnród Éireann is trying to make more efficient use of the capacity in place and there have been changes to services in various areas. The change is based on passenger usage and on trying to ensure in the tightened financial circumstances that it runs the trains at the times sought most by passengers, rather than running them at times when passengers are not using them and losing money.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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The Minister is doing the opposite.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is unduly pessimistic. As Members are aware, we have added the Midleton line and the western rail corridor will be opened shortly. The Navan line will be opened by the end of next year. We are moving and we will get more rolling stock in 2011. Irish Rail has a very modern fleet and it is not a case of all doom and gloom. However, in the current circumstances there is a necessity to ensure the taxpayers' money we allocate to the various companies is used effectively and well.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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I accept that.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Iarnród Éireann has a good record in this regard.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Commuters are hopping mad. I understand there have been large meetings of commuters in Drogheda, who are very angry about the deterioration in the service. The opposite of the Minister's statement appears to be the case. Rush hour trains are less frequent, with greater frequency at off peak times, which no one can understand.

However, there is one good news story. At last, a new station will open in my constituency at Clongriffin but I understand we will have two trains there per hour if we are lucky. I emphasise that the Minister is the author of this timetable.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I am unsure if a question was put.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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If the Minister does not wish to reply we will move on.