Attorney General asked for opinion on fare cuts for islanders
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has sought legal advice about whether the 20% discount for public transport users can apply to air or ferry fares for residents of offshore islands.
Minister Humphreys has written to the Attorney General for clarity on the legality of extending the discount that applies to bus and rail users, to transport for offshore islanders on Inishbofin and the Aran Islands.
The 20% reduction was introduced as a measure to reduce the cost of living.
Minister Humphreys said the Department of Transport was “not opposed” to introducing the scheme for island residents, it was “concerned that retrospectively applying a fare reduction to contracts that were procured through a public procurement process may create issues for private and subsidised operators”.
“I am happy to look at this. I have written to the Attorney General seeking advice and clarity on the issue,” she said.
“We do not want to cause difficulties with any procurement process that leaves us open to challenges,” she said.
Minister Humphreys added that “island’s ferries are subsidised to the tune of 50%” already.
She was responding in the Dáil to Galway West TD, Éamon Ó Cuív (FF), who said it was “deeply concerning” that the reduced fares introduced in April do not extend to islanders’ transport.
Deputy Ó Cuív said islanders “pay some of the most expensive” public transport fares.
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