Eamon Gilmore
Question:16 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has to sanction a fare increase in Dublin Bus and DART services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12997/99]
Other Questions. - Fares Increases.
I am currently considering an application for fares increases for the three CIE operating subsidiaries. I hope to be in a position to make a decision on this application in the near future.
The Minister issued a press release last December in which she said she intended to look positively at an application with her for an increase of 16 per cent.
I did not say 16 per cent.
I have it here in front of me.
That is 16 per cent because it is a graded one.
The press release says that since the cost of living has risen by 16 per cent –
I would not grant a 16 per cent increase. The CPI is 16 per cent since the last increase.
This is the press release. Will the Minister agree that at a time when we want to get people to go on to trains and buses and out of cars, to use the mechanism of funding the public transport system by increasing fares will discourage people from leaving their cars and getting into trains and buses? Will she agree it would be a better system to increase the subsidy to the companies from the Exchequer directly as in every other capital city in Europe rather than increase the fares?
I said CPI increased by 16 per cent since the last fares increase.
The Minister said that in the context of a fares increase. By how much will they increase?
I have no notion of increasing fares by 16 per cent. It is an old tactic used by Opposition Deputies. I used it, so I am aware of it. I said CPI increased. Interestingly, many of the fares were increased in 1994 under the Labour-Fianna Fáil Coalition Government. The general level of fares did not increase but many individual fares were increased.
Never mind 1994. What is the position now?
The Deputy was in the Department at that time; one cannot forget that from time to time.
The Minister is promising to increase the fares.
I am looking at the issue.
How long will the Minister look at it?
Quite a while.
Will it be until after the election?
Will the Minister confirm that fares will increase by 9 per cent after the election?
No. I will not do so just to please the Deputy.
The dogs in the street know that is the position.
Is the Minister aware that the Arrow and DART commuter services are so crowded that nobody pays fares unless they buy a weekly ticket? The collectors cannot get through the carriages to collect the fares. Unless they are foolish or honest enough to buy a weekly ticket, people travelling to Naas, Maynooth, Greystones and the northside do not pay fares.
I am sure people are honest and want to pay their fares.
They cannot pay them.
I would not suggest that everybody who travels is not paying fares.
The Minister grossly misinterpreted my comments. I do not suggest that people are dishonest. My point is that the conditions on the trains are such that the collectors cannot get through the crowds to collect fares. The figures for these trains, when they become available, will show that there were very few people on them although they are packed to the doors. Will the Minister do something about this matter and enable the collectors to collect the fares which are due by providing the necessary infrastructure?
That is not part of the question.
Will the Minister do something about it? It is part of the question because it relates to fare increases.
Is the Minister confirming that immediately after the local elections she will sanction fare increases? Does she agree this will add to the cynicism of the travelling public? A political decision has, in effect, been made but it has been deferred until after 11 June.
I am sorry to inform the Deputy that no political decision has been taken.
The Minister promised to look positively at Dublin Bus fare increases. It is stated in her press release.
It is a cynical move.
It is interesting that, in September 1994, a total of seven range increases were given.
Rubbish. The Minister has been looking at the matter since last December. She will not make an announcement until after the elections.
Deputy Stagg was the Minister involved at that time.
We are not looking at 1991.
How interesting that Deputy Stagg was the Minister involved.
This is another fine mess.
It is another botch.
It is awful to be in Opposition. It must be terrible for Deputy Stagg because he was the Minister involved. I feel sorry for him but it is a good idea to change portfolios. At least one can then be straightforward.
The Minister does not have the courage to do it.
She should do the decent thing and go to Europe.
I would hate it. Imagine all the spats I would miss.
Let the record show that the Minister hates Europe.
She likes her big meals at informal Council meetings.
Unfortunately, I could not stay for dinner. I had to come home.