I thank the Chair for giving me the opportunity to raise this matter and the Minister for attending. An article appeared in the papers about ten days ago clearly showing that Dublin Bus is the least subsidised transport system among European States. They cover 96 per cent of operating costs from fares whereas in Brussels 33 per cent of costs come from fares, in Amsterdam, 25 per cent and in Rome 10 per cent. Even London, the home of right-wing Thatcherism and deregulation, the percentage is only 79 per cent.
In every aspect of life we are told to look at what is happening elsewhere in Europe. However, the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications is telling Dublin Bus in particular that from next year they will have to cover 100 per cent of operating costs from fares.
We recognise that urban transport systems throughout the world have to be subsidised. The attitude of CIE with its latest viability plan is at the root of the problem. The plan proposes 800 redundancies and major changes to take home pay and working conditions.
CIE companies are like all other businesses and must invest in new rolling stock. It is crazy to expect this type of investment to be funded from current cash flow on the backs of people being forced out on early retirement. The Minister tells me we have to look at the CIE argument. The latest CIE figures for last year have been presented in a manner which shows the 1995 outturn in the worst possible light. There have been changes in the way in which depreciation is calculated and in the allocation for public liability claims. The figures have been presented to show a certain line of thought. I do not suggest CIE should ignore expenditure. Expenditure has to be controlled and reviewed and any restrictive practices approved by management over the years have to be changed.
In the light of the overall position I am horrified at the way some of CIE management, particularly newer management is operating in trying to push everything through without any discussion or consultation. There is an agreement between the Government, the unions and the social partners negotiated by the last Government. The Taoiseach has expressed his interest in another similar agreement. How can the Minister ask CIE management to bulldoze its way through that fundamental agreement? I do not know what happened today in the court but will the Minister, in the context of what has been threatened within the next few days, call on the management to deal with this matter in an organised way by consultation? I realise the Minister has to curb the subvention to CIE and the opportunities for fare increases are limited but bulldozing something through without negotiation must not occur. It appears management has soured its relationship with the unions. Will the Minister take an initiative and call all parties together, give them a deadline and ask them to sort out the matter?
I understand the company is withdrawing from the rail link side in December. It has notified all its customers and put them in touch with another company, yet there has not been one meeting with the unions on the matter. It is a major problem. They might like to put the boot in and get tough but they must sit down and negotiate rather than try to ram something through. The Department has many demands on its subvention but I ask the Minister to call on those who are acting tough to sit down and sort out CIE's problems. If change has to come let it be done by agreement as it is in other walks of life and in Government.