Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for leave to speak on this issue. It came to light in recent weeks when the imposition of a car parking charge at railway stations led to an increase in the cost of commuting by 40% for some train users. Last week, the cost of commuting at Stamullen, County Meath, increased by €250 per year owing to the imposition of a car parking charge at that rail station. Similar charges are being introduced across the country. Charges have recently been introduced in Mallow and Ennis and one is imminent in Arklow. I accept these car parks have recently been upgraded, paid for in part by a subsidy of €150 million to Iarnród Éireann. My question is not about the concept of car parking charges per se but about the unregulated and arbitrary way in which car park charges can be announced on a Friday, introduced on a Monday and increased a few short months later.

Stamullen is a new commuter village which has little employment. Therefore, people's focus is on travelling to and from Dublin every day. For those who want to use the train, driving to the coastal station of Gormanstown, two miles away, is part of the commute. It is not just about getting the train. It is about getting the car, parking the car and boarding the train.

Last December, the then Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, was asked to provide a 10% increase in CIE fares. He virtually laughed the company out of the office and granted an increase of 2.75%. At the time, his Department said that in reaching his decision, the Minister said he wanted to encourage and support passengers who choose public transport as their commuting option. Clearly his policy was to try to encourage the use of public transport at a reasonable cost. Given that the cost of driving to the railway station and car parking charges at the station form part of the commute, it is clear he wanted that policy implemented and fares kept down.

It is unclear whether car parking charges lie outside the remit of the Minister and if they form part of the fare regulation regime. I seek clarification whether car park charges form part of the fare-setting process. If they are not regulated, there is nothing to stop Iarnród Éireann increasing car parking charges in December by 10% or 20% at railway stations such as Stamullen, Mallow or Ennis. What I seek is a statement from the Minister on car parking charges. Are they part of the fare regulation regime and, if not, does he intend to make them part of that regime to keep the cost of commuting down and encourage the use of public transport?