Minister: CIE caught in 'perfect storm'

Minister for Public Transport Alan Kelly said today blamed a "perfect storm" at CIE as falling passenger numbers have forced fare hikes and cuts in services.

Minister Kelly came under fire in the Dáil, with Fianna Fáil accusing the Coalition of doing nothing to ensure the future of the public transport provider is not in jeopardy.

Minister Kelly insisted that the Government is taking action, however.

"CIE is in a situation where it's in a perfect storm, given the loss of revenue it has from the loss of passengers, so it's in quite a difficult situation as the mainstay of public transport," he said.

"But there is a plan being put together, a robust business plan is being put together by the company and this Government has taken actions to ensure that CIE will be able to operate into the future."