The Junior Transport Minister has described suggestions that CIE should be allowed to go under as “illogical”.

Yesterday the government announced that a further €36 million will be pumped into CIE to protect public transport services.

Private transport operators say CIE has been given enough money.

Minister Alan Kelly says public transport services have to be protected by the State.

The decision will raise subvention in CIE this year to €278 million.

But Minister Kelly says certain loss-making public transport services have to be protected.

He was speaking to Breakfast here on Newstalk.