asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he has received an application from Dublin Bus for an increase in certain fares; when a decision will be made on this application; if, in view of the need to keep fares down to encourage greater use of public transport, he will reject the application and instead increase the subvention of Dublin Bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The three CIE subsidiaries, Bus Átha Cliath, Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann, have submitted applications for increases in certain fares. The applications are still being examined. My policy is to promote a wider and greater use of public transport and to keep fares as low as possible in line with available resources and the need for the companies to meet their costs.

Will the Minister confirm that the applications have been with him since the end of January, if not very early February and will he advise the House as to why his Department have taken so long to reach a decision in regard to these matters?

I am aware that the Deputy got very excited and went public in the press about fares at around that time but I am following the usual procedures in regard to these applications.

I put the question on the basis of very good information. I am asking the Minister to confirm that the applications have been with him for upwards of three months and to advise the House when Deputies, representatives in the Dublin area in particular, and Dublin Bus will have a decision from his Department. May I ask the Minister if he would agree that the principle of low fares is one which must be pursued by his Department as a first step——

The Deputy is embarking on a speech now.

I simply want to ask the Minister if he agrees that low fares as a first principle are the only basis on which——

I think the Deputy has made his point.

——he can hope to get people back onto the buses in Dublin.

If the Deputy had listened carefully to my reply, and I will repeat it, he would have heard that my policy is to promote a wider and greater use of public transport and to keep fares as low as possible.