asked the Minister for Transport if the Government intend to increase the capital allocation to CIE this year; and if he considers that the current allocation is sufficient for that company's needs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CIE Capital Allocation.
9.
CIE's capital allocation for 1980 is £25.125 million including a grant of £1.125 million in respect of the Rosslare Harbour development works. This represents an increase of £10.125 million on CIE's capital allocation for 1979. I am satisfied that the capital allocation for 1980 is sufficient to meet the board's essential requirements for capital expenditure in the current year.
Is it true that the increase is purely for the electrification of the Bray/Howth line and that if that was excluded the capital allocation for CIE for 1980 over 1979 would be down?
There is a significant sum of money included in that allocation for electrification.
How much?
It is £10.13 million.
So the allocation in real terms is down.
The capital allocation is sufficient to meet the commitments of CIE.
Questions should be put through the Chair.
(Interruptions.)
Did the Minister say that the capital allocation is sufficient at this time?
I am saying that CIE are not currently being deprived of capital to fund their operations.
Will the Minister explain why CIE have said that the reason they have to withdraw the train from Cork to Youghal during the summer season is because they have not enough money to replace the rolling stock?
That is a separate question.
The Deputy attempted to get this information unsuccessfully on two other occasions.
It is a separate question.
Recognising the Deputy's tactics in this matter, I would point out that McKinsey Consultants are preparing a report on CIE and they will make recommendations on which the Government will take decisions. If capital is necessary subsequent to that I am sure the Government will supply it.
A final supplementary, please.
How many times have Fianna Fáil Governments appointed McKinsey to look into CIE when they were short of ideas or cash?
The Deputy is certainly making a statement now.
Will the Minister please explain why money has not been allocated to CIE to allow them to maintain the Cork/Youghal service during the summer which is possibly the only way in which various children in Cork can get to the sea during the summer?
That is a separate question.
Why has the Minister not given sufficient money to keep the stock rolling?
That is a separate question. Question No. 10, please.
The Minister is willing to reply.
The Minister of State is willing to reply if the Chair deems it fit.
That is all right if the Minister wants to reply but it is certainly a separate question.
Under section 19 of the Transport Act, CIE in their day to day operations can terminate any service or any line. The service the Deputy refers to had to be withdrawn but the Deputy will be delighted to know that a satisfactory bus service will be put in its place to satisfy the Deputy's demands.
For precisely the same reason there are no train carriages in Cork or buses in Cork. If the Minister—I am sure his next defensive line will be that he cannot interfere in the internal affairs of CIE——
The Deputy is now making a statement.
Why did the Minister, Deputy Reynolds, write to his own party members in Youghal saying he would have the matter investigated?
The Minister has already stated it is a matter for CIE.
(Interruptions.)
The Minister made a statement to the effect that the current allocation to CIE is sufficient to meet their current needs. Is he aware that the chairman of CIE has written a letter to the Chamber of Commerce in Mullingar stating that because of lack of funds, the condition of rolling stock and the failure to replace such stock CIE are unable to maintain services that obtained until now on the Dublin-Sligo line? Is the Minister aware of that?
These are all separate questions. We cannot raise every little point from every part of the country.
The Minister stated that CIE were getting sufficient funds to do the job. The chairman of CIE said——
I am calling the next question. We cannot raise every question about CIE on this Question.
The Minister said CIE had sufficient funds——
The Deputy should put down a separate question about that. I have called Question No. 10.
The chairman stated that they had not. There is something wrong here. Who is telling whom what? Would the Minister care to comment on the comments of the chairman of CIE?
The Chair is not allowing the Minister to comment. It is a separate question.
The Minister said they had sufficient funds.
The Minister said they had sufficient money to meet their needs and the chairman said——
CIE cannot endure this Government any longer.
The Deputy is certain to get a job in Brussels.
I will.
I have called the next question. All the matters now being raised are individual ones for CIE.
Would the Minister be prepared to comment on this statement?
Question No. 10.
Would the Minister make a statement——
The Chair must be allowed to run Question Time.
I am asking a relevant question.
Will Deputy O'Toole please resume his seat?
Will the Minister comment on the statement?
He is not being allowed by the Chair. The Chair has called Question No. 10.
Does the Minister agree with the chairman?
I said I have called the next question.
No comment from the Minister. We must accept that he agrees.
The Chair must be obeyed.
The Minister of State is unusually silent. The old laryngitis again.
The Minister will be most happy to answer any question the Leas-Cheann Comhairle allows.
We cannot run Question Time in this fashion. Question No. 10.
Now it is the fault of the Chair that CIE have no money.
The Chair will run Question Time, not the Minister or the Deputy.