Vol. 558 No. 6
153 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the amount of a fare increase he recently sanctioned to Dublin Bus; the way in which this has resulted in increased fares of between 0% and 100%; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that adult cash fares, for example, have increased from between 10% and 23%; if fare increases of this magnitude are Government policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25325/02]
I wrote to the chairman on 19 November 2002 approving an average fares increase of 9% in respect of CIE fares to be introduced from December 2002. In devising their new fares structure, CIE were asked to have particular regard to An Agreed Programme for Government on fares issues and, in particular, the need for greater interchangeability of commuter tickets on bus and rail services, in advance of the introduction of smart card technologies.
The increase was also granted in the context of the continued progress to improve accountability and transparency with regard to Exchequer subvention paid to CIE in respect of non-commercial services. In this context, it was noted in my letter of approval that agreement has been reached with CIE to introduce service level agreements from 1 February next. These agreements will set down for the first time in the history of the companies an arrangement to provide greater transparency in regard to State support for nonommercial services and greater accountability in relation to the quality of the service to be provided by the companies.
My Department has been assured by the companies that their fare increases, when taken across the full range of fares, have increased only by an average of 9%. Nevertheless, in a meeting with my Department early this week, the chairman referred to concerns raised in that regard in recent days and indicated that it was his intention to re-examine the new fares over the coming days.
154 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Transport if his officials have received a final report in relation to the collapse of bridge structures on the Maynooth suburban rail line on 9 April 2002; the measures which have been put in place to prevent a reoccurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25326/02]
I understand from Iarnród Éireann that Kildare County Council and their contractor have submitted their technical reports on this incident to Iarnród Éireann. Iarnród Éireann has reviewed these reports and is currently finalising its own report. This will be completed by year end. In order to prevent any future such incidents, Iarnród Éireann has developed and issued a new internal standard for the technical approval of third party projects. In regard to construction of this particular bridge, Iarnród Éireann has agreed a revised method statement with the contractor after consulting with the railway inspectorate of my Department. The method statement sets out the means by which the construction can be completed in a safe manner. Bridge construction resumed in accordance with the new Iarnród Éireann standard and the revised method statement. The matter continues to be monitored by the railway inspectorate.
