asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the fact that Dublin City transport services operated by C.I.E. earned a profit of £335,000 for the year ended 31st March, 1956, representing a return of 19.6 per cent. on the capital investment in Dublin services, and, furthermore, that it is evident that very substantial profits earned in Dublin City since the company was formed have been utilised to subsidise losses in its other departments, he will, when formulating future policy in regard to public transport, take steps to ensure, if necessary, by the introduction of legislation, that the Dublin citizens will not be compelled to continue to subsidise these losses by the payments of excessive bus fares, and if, for this purpose, he will reorganise the company to provide for the independent and autonomous operation of the Dublin transport services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Transport Services.
The whole question of public transport in the State is at present being examined in the light of the recommendations and conclusions in the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Internal Transport.
Is it not the case that the Transport Report has revealed the fact that the Dublin public are being grossly exploited by C.I.E. in respect of the transport services and, as a matter of urgency, will the Minister arrange to take steps to see that the Dublin public are charged less exorbitant fares for the inadequate services provided?
The answers to all parts of the Deputy's supplementary question are in the negative.
It is highway robbery.