Seanad debates

Tuesday, 1 April 2003

Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed).

 

Investment in public transport has been mentioned. In 1997 the budget introduced by the then Minister for Finance, Deputy Quinn, contained zero Exchequer funding for public transport. Any moneys provided came from the European Union. That situation has been transformed. There is a large amount of work to be done but it is a bit rich to be attacked when the Government is spending hundreds of millions of euro in taxpayer's money on public transport. That provision did not exist until five years ago. However, that does not mean we should throw money at the problem. I said as much when we were debating the Finance Bill. We must spend wisely and not over-extend or bankrupt the country. We must spend on investments that will make the greatest difference.

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