Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if, in view of the Government's encouragement and support to passengers who choose public transport, with the imposition of a car parking charge at railway stations which could lead to a potential 25% increase in commuting costs, he has considered introducing an annual parking ticket that could be brought into the tax saver system affording commuters the same tax breaks that they get for their tickets themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25162/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The policy objective underlying the existing arrangements covering bus and rail passes is to encourage taxpayers to use public transport when travelling to and from work and, thus, contribute to the easing of traffic congestion and to the improvement of the environment. The extension of the scheme to include car parking costs would involve additional loss of tax revenue and it is not clear that it would contribute significantly to a reduction in traffic congestion.