asked the Minister for Communications if in the event of the CIE dispute continuing, he will be making alternative transport arrangements for Dublin commuters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bus Dispute.
13.
The extent of hardship on bus users arising from the disruption to CIE Dublin city services is being monitored, in accordance with the usual practice, in the context of assessing the need for emergency transport at any stage.
Would the Minister avail of this opportunity to confirm to the people of Dublin that he has a contingency plan in operation or on stand-by? Will he confirm that, as of now, he has consulted the Army authorities and, if necessary, the private bus authorities? Will he say when those consultations took place and what was their outcome?
There are several new questions contained in what the Deputy has asked. The normal practice in my Department, when a threat of a bus dispute arises, is that normal contingency plans are drawn up and discussions are held with the Army as to what services they would be able to provide. That is the extent of the contingency planning and reports which suggest anything else are incorrect. In so far as any emergency transport will be provided, it will be provided by the Army and only then if considered necessary.
The Minister is telling the House that he has a contingency plan available in the event of this situation worsening?
Yes, there is always a contingency plan.
And there is one now?
Yes.
Will the Minister not agree that the riding instructions he gave to the board of CIE, and to the board of B & I and other transport companies for that matter, is bringing total chaos to the transport situation?
On the contrary, for 15 years CIE's deficit escalated from £3.5 million to £109 million which is seven times the rate of inflation. Deputy Wilson was the last Minister to preside over that cort of escalation. Since then CIE's deficit has fallen successively each year——
For nine months we were getting it under control.
At £109.2 million in 1982 that was the worst year of all when Deputy Wilson was Minister. It has fallen each year since I became Minister and it will continue to fall in the future.
(Interruptions.)
Is the Minister saying that with £115 million subsidy we are not entitled to a better transport system than we have this Christmas in Dublin? If he says that, he has a brass neck.
The Chair is now saying that it is 3.30 p.m. and I am moving to priority questions.