Would the Minister like to comment on the reason the CIE subsidy increased from under £6 million in 1972 to £32½ million last year?

(Cavan): As the man said, that is elementary. CIE are a labour intensive organisation. Everybody knows wages have increased substantially. CIE are a heavy consumer of oil and I do not have to tell the Deputy that the cost of oil has at least quadrupled since the date in question. Those are mainly the reasons which led to the increase in this subvention.

Would the Minister not agree that an increase from under £6 million to £32½ million far outstrips the increases in the cost of oil and labour?

(Cavan): Speaking from memory, the Deputy will agree that the cost of 300 gallons of fuel oil has increased in that period from £18 or £19 to £20. If he compares those figures he will see that the subvention has not outstripped the increases.