Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 487: To ask the Minister for Transport if Iarnród Éireann has to adhere to the EU guidelines on train service timetables; if it is the prerogative of each member state's train companies for economic reasons or social reasons to change timetables at any period of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10077/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2003, Iarnród Éireann has adopted the principle, set out in Commission Decision 2002/844/EC, of establishing a working timetable once per year; that is, at midnight on the second Saturday in December each year. The Commission decision does, however, allow some flexibility in these arrangements.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 488: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the major discrepancies in train fares for journeys of equal distance from Dublin on different rail lines; the reason for such discrepancies in view of the serious effect such discrepancies have on commuters; the action he will take in rectifying the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10078/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The structure of rail fares is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. Iarnród Éireann operates two fare structures: a Dublin commuter area, which encompasses Balbriggan, Maynooth, Hazelhatch and Kilcoole; and the national network.

With the dramatic growth in longer distance commuting, issues have arisen in fare arrangements between the commuter and national areas. These issues are most relevant around the boundary areas of the fare structures. Iarnród Éireann has informed me that it intends undertaking a thorough review of ticketing and fare practices, which will be wide-ranging and will encompass this issue among others.