I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 52 together.
Córas Iompair Éireann receives an annual subvention from the Exchequer for the provision of socially necessary services which cannot be provided on a fully commercial basis. The allocation of the subvention to the individual companies within the CIE group is currently a matter for the board of CIE. The total subvention for 1998 is £107.205 million and I am advised that of this amount some £7 million has been allocated to Bus Átha Cliath by the CIE board.
In so far as fares are concerned, the three CIE operating companies require the approval of the Government before they can implement increases in standard fare rates. In the case of Bus Átha Cliath, the approved standard rates are those for single fares. However, the CIE companies have discretion to offer discount or promotional fares, including multiple journey tickets, in accordance with their own commercial judgment, provided that the approved maximum standard rates are not exceeded. I have no approval function in relation to such discretionary or discount fares. I also have no approval function in relation to the types of discretionary or discount tickets which the companies may choose to introduce or withdraw. I do not propose to change the existing approval arrangements so as to extend the Government's role in relation to CIE's fares.