Public transport and strike action
Deputy Thomas Byrne asked when the Government will address unreliable public transport and an impending strike. The Minister urged use of the Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court and said public transport will feature strongly in the investment plan.
Before we move on to promised legislation, let me say something to all Members as some can be very clever and try to circumvent the rules. We have only 15 minutes and I wish to accommodate as many speakers as possible so I ask Members to preface their question with a reference to promised legislation or the programme for Government.
Before the leaders, we have Deputies Michael Moynihan, O'Rourke, Fitzmaurice, Tóibín, Durkan, Deering, Scanlon, Rock, McLoughlin, Rabbitte, Martin Kenny and Smith. I have to cut off after 15 minutes. We start with Deputy Thomas Byrne on behalf of Fianna Fáil.
Comment on this
When is the Government going to get to grips with public transport, particularly in the context of the programme for Government commitments to improve it? There are many people throughout the country who get up early in the morning, as the Government likes to say. They are currently being discommoded by Bus Éireann, which is seemingly unable to provide a predictable and reliable service. There are many people who use rail services and also get up early in the morning. They are being promised an all-out strike in the next few weeks. When is the Government going to take some action on this and provide the promised improvements? We should have an effective, predictable and reliable public transport service around the country.
Comment on this
On the industrial dispute, I urge all parties to use the facilities of the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court to try to re-engage. I have had experience as the Minister responsible for this area and even the most intractable disputes can be resolved by their services. They are very experienced and expert.
The Government has a huge commitment to public transport. We will soon see the Luas lines linked up after very significant infrastructure investment. The ten-year investment plan is being put together and public transport will be a very significant part of that, as it was in the last plan. In terms of support for the improvement of public transport on a day-to-day basis, we have seen a 25% increase in the subventions being made to public transport for public service obligations over the last two years. Investment is being put in and we are seeing more and more people using public transport.