Public purse funded buses for ships event

TRANSPORT Minister Martin Cullen gave €375,000 of taxpayers' money to his home constituency of Waterford city last week for the provision of free park and ride buses during the Tall Ships Race.

A proposed €5 per person or €10 per family charge for use of the park and ride system and nearby parking for the four-day festival caused uproar locally when it was announced last month. The fee was subsequently scrapped.

Both the minister's office and the organisers of the event denied last month that extra government cash was being pumped into the event to make up the shortfall.