Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bus Dispute.
- Dublin Bus Dispute Contingency Plans 8 speeches
Brennan asks whether emergency transport is planned if the CIE dispute continues. Mitchell says contingency plans are routinely prepared with the Army, which would provide transport only if necessary, and confirms a plan is in place.
Seamus Brennan, Jim Mitchell
- CIE Instructions and Transport Service 6 speeches
Wilson blames the Minister’s instructions for transport chaos and argues that the public deserves better service given the subsidy. Mitchell counters that CIE’s deficit has fallen since he took office; the Chair then moves to priority questions.
John P. Wilson, Jim Mitchell, Thomas J. Fitzpatrick
asked the Minister for Communications if in the event of the CIE dispute continuing, he will be making alternative transport arrangements for Dublin commuters.
Comment on this
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.
Comment on this
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?
Comment on this
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.
Comment on this
The Minister is telling the House that he has a contingency plan available in the event of this situation worsening?
Comment on this
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?
Comment on this
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——
Comment on this
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.
Comment on this
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.
