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Dail Éireann · 2026-09-24

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions

CC David Maxwell · Cavan-Monaghan · An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach

Party shown is the one held on 2026-09-24, frozen at parse time — not the speaker's party today.

Summary of this debate

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We recognise that the NTA applies detailed statistical analysis of fare elasticity to assess the impact of fare increases on passenger demand and overall public transport usage. I am glad the Minister of State mentioned town bus services because I want to bring up the issue of Tralee town bus services.

What I am looking for is detail to ensure that no public transport services suffer, and no further public transport fare increases happen, because of it. I am glad to hear from Deputy Buttimer that the budget negotiations with the Department of public expenditure are ongoing because my question is whether the Minister will provide the €70 million in funding that the NTA says is required to avoid the increase in public transport fares.

Built by scoring every sentence in the debate on how distinctive its language is, then quoting the highest-scoring ones back word for word and in the order spoken. Nothing is paraphrased or invented — if a sentence appears here, it was said in the chamber. Drawn from 7,520 words across 43 contributions by 9 speakers.

Most used terms in this debate

How often each word appears across the whole debate, ranked by how distinctive it is to this debate rather than common to all parliamentary language.

fare 29
fares 24
nta 27
transport 40
bus 29
carriages 15
services 49
public 52
rail 19
pso 14
service 35
roads 18

The full debate

All 6 contributions, start to finish, in the order they were made. The one you came here for is highlighted.

SF Pa Daly

Are we waiting for the Minister to arrive?

FG Jerry Buttimer

We are here.

SF Pa Daly

I am reluctant to say too much while the Minister himself is not here but there are about 15 Deputies who have submitted questions. They are expecting a response from the Minister. I mean no disrespect to the dream team that has arrived.

FG Jerry Buttimer

Did Kerry win the all-Ireland this year? Is the Deputy still cranky over that?

SF Pa Daly

No, I am a bit cranky with the Minister for not turning up. It is not the first time he has not shown up. In all fairness, the Ministers of State are more than capable of deputising.

CC David Maxwell this contribution

We will move on.