49.— (1) Where the Authority enters into a public transport services contract under section 48, it may, subject to such conditions as it sees fit, make payments to the public transport operator concerned out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas or otherwise, in respect of the provision of public passenger transport services referred to in that contract.

(2) Conditions attaching to payments made under subsection (1) may include terms governing repayment of the payments, interest and such other matters as may be determined by the Authority, with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance.