Vol. 405 No. 1
14 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he will outline the funds which have been allocated to CIE for the replacement of rolling stock in the current year; the amount planned for 1991; his views on whether this is adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Under the Public Capital Programme, CIE's annual capital expenditure is normally financed from the board's own resources or by borrowing or by a combination of both. Exchequer capital grants are not made available to CIE. Capital expenditure incurred by CIE on rolling stock in 1990 amounted to £2 million and this expenditure was financed by the board from their own resources.
In November 1990 I gave approval to CIE to acquire 17 new railcars at a cost of £18 million. Provision has been made in the 1991 Public Capital Programme for expenditure of £4.5 million on this rolling stock. I am satisfied that the investment I have approved will allow Irish Rail to improve the quality of their rolling stock on suburban railway lines.
Would the Minister explain why, if £80 million has been sanctioned by his Department for CIE to spend on rolling stock, this has not yet been done?
I approved it because I consider it necessary.
Would the Minister not agree that it would be more logical from his Department's point of view to make this allocation on an ongoing basis rather than wait for, perhaps, five years, at which time a major allocation may be required? Would the Minister not agree that if this policy was in operation there could be ongoing construction of the carriages in Ireland by Irish people? Would he not consider that matter?
Yes, of course I will. In 1986 the then Government, in which the Deputy's party was involved, decided that any future transport proposals for the city would be largely bus based.
Let me say that in relation to the bus service to which the Minister referred——
I thought the Deputy wanted to ask a supplementary question. He is now making a statement. Let us have a reply to No. 17 please.
