Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support the Minister of State and we will be opposing the amendments. I understand Senator Barrett's concerns that this money may be used to subsidise routes but we must remember the emphasis in terms of this Bill. Twenty-five years ago CIE's borrowing limit was IR£107 million and its borrowing limit now has been increased to ¤300 million. It is important to remember also that the changes in this Bill remove the possibility of the State guaranteeing these borrowings, in other words, we cannot break European Union law in regard to guaranteeing this and therefore CIE must stand on its own feet in that if it borrows this ¤300 million it must pay it back.

CIE is in the business of public transport and as the Minister stated, public transport does not make money. Public transport must be provided to the people but for the best value and to allow the best usage by people. As I stated on the previous occasion, we cannot allow private companies or CIE to cherry-pick the profitable routes. Public transport is about providing services to all the country - rural and urban. We may say that certain routes are profitable but they still mus be provided because people in rural Ireland deserve to be supported.

Under the Minister of State CIE will be watched in terms of the way it borrows and spends this money. We must remember that in regard to CIE's many losses in the past three years. Some ¤113 million was spent in the restructuring of the company and there are 557 fewer employees. The Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, and the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, are making CIE a leaner, meaner, better company and I have full confidence in both of them in regard to this matter. I will be opposing the amendments.