andMr. Tunney asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has received a recommendation to permit an increase in bus fares in the Dublin city area; and, if so, when a decision on the application may be expected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bus Fares.
38.
The recommendation of the National Prices Commission in regard to an increase in CIE rates and fares, including bus fares in the Dublin city area, was published recently in the commission's monthly report for April, 1974. The Press release issued by the Government Information Services in connection with that report stated that the increases proposed in CIE rates and fares were the subject of ongoing discussion by the Government. That is still the position.
Would the Minister approach his colleague, the Minister for Labour, in an effort to bring together the parties in the bus dispute?
The Deputy is bringing in a separate matter.
The Minister has heard my remarks and I hope he will act on them. Before he sanctions the increase, would he consider encouraging CIE to run the bus service at very low fares? This would help keep cars out of the city. He may have to subsidise the company to a greater extent but the overall saving would be tremendous.
I note the Deputy's remarks but some of them do not call for reply. With regard to urban public transportation, there are a large number of difficult questions and this obtains worldwide. I do not want to pre-empt the responsibility of the Minister for Transport and Power but a series of considerations as to how to optimise urban transport service and how to minimise the cost to the consumer and the taxpayer are matters under discussion by the Government at the moment.
I do not expect an immediate answer from the Minister to my question, but would he accept that any disruption of earning potential of CIE buses and its effects in regard to increased fares, might justify his appealing to any sections of the community that might interfere with the profitability of CIE?
I take the sense of the Deputy's question and I agree with him. We all share the desire to see the buses back on the street and an end to the inconvenience and increases in costs which this strike will inevitably bring.