Free public transport policy
Deputy Bríd Smith welcomed electric bus investment and pressed for a policy of free public transport. The Taoiseach pointed to fare reductions already introduced, but the Deputy clarified that her question was specifically about free public transport.
I welcome the announcement today of the 80 electric buses to be provided this year and the plan to go to 800 over the next eight years. Much more needs to be done. It is welcome but it is a drop in the ocean compared to the urgency that is needed to deal with climate change and the cost of living. I note the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, has endorsed the People Before Profit policy of provision of free public transport, given he had a lovely trip to Luxembourg recently and had the experience of free public transport. As well as Deputy Troy endorsing the notion of free public transport, will the Government have the same ambition to move towards that demand, which is one of the key demands of Saturday's demonstration on the cost of living which will be an intervention before the budget? At 1 p.m. on Saturday, people will be marching through this city and one of the key demands is for free public transport. I encourage everybody to get onto that protest because it is an intervention we can make prior to the budget but I would like the Government to intervene and endorse the idea of free public transport. As the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, said, "This is [the] route we need to travel."
Comment on this
First, the Government has taken significant steps towards reducing the fares on public transport, in the most recent cost-of-living measures we took but also in the budget in October last in terms of young people's fares being reduced by 50%, which was a radical move. I welcome the Deputy's welcome for the 80 electric buses.
Comment on this
We welcome the Taoiseach's welcome for our welcome.
Comment on this
What is significant is that they come from a high quality factory, in terms of rights, in Ballymena.
The NTA has secured the capacity there. That illustrates the synergies North and South that have developed economically to the benefit of all on the island. That is a very practical example of that.
Comment on this
My question was about the policy for free public transport.