Planes and boats and trains

national | worker & community struggles and protests | opinion/analysis Tuesday March 08, 2005 22:45 by John McDermott - removefiannafail www.jmcd444 at yahoo dot com Gran Canaria ,Spain

A new Aer Lingus.?

The increased funding of an Airline which is already very successful,is possibly a repeat of the Air Lingus story.
Two heavily susidised entities,Irish rail and a local airline are in direct competition with each other,and as business flows to the private airline,our national rail system will require more and more taxpayers funding.

20 million Euro subsidy for private enterprise.?

50,000 seats must go.90% off.Sale never ends.!
Travel from Dublin to Kerry,Galway,Sligo or Knock Airport any day of the year 10% of the original price.!!
Minister Martin Cullen this week announces an incredible never ending subsidy of 300 Euros on every ticket purchased between now and eternity. You can get to your favorite golf course fast-and spend more time on the fairway.!
Ticket cost is 330 Euros-you only pay 30 Euros.! Why travel by rail when you can fly there for the same price.?
Forget Irish rail. Forget stuffy,unventilated trains. Forget delays and under funded railways.

Fianna Fail have increased their internal flight subsidy from 1 million Euros in 1995 to 20 million(and climbing) in 2003.
Can this be the beginning of a new “Aer Lingus”….even before the old one is sold off.?
(Even Finn Gael have called for an increase in the current subsidy,and this service is in direct competition with our taxpayer- funded, public railway system where jobs are currently at stake.)
C.I.E.unions take note.! Soon your trains will be empty.