Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Let me finish. There is a colossal problem. It is often seen to be the last thing on the agenda of the likes of the NTA. I am not saying it is but I am saying that is the perception. Trust me. I have been down this road. Will the NTA please put this up? The witnesses will hear many people talking about lots of issues around Dublin and urban areas, but people who live in rural parts of the country deserve access to services. I have complimented the NTA on the 323 bus route. It is a game changer. However, for many people to be able to get to social events and to get around the place, we need to find a licensing structure that covers people and that is available for medical appointments, social appointments, for mass, or for anything. We just need something. My feeling is local communities should be given a licence which is run off a hub of one, two or three businesses or community groups and which has a small fee with a grant. For the amount of money it would cost the Exchequer, one of these being available in every village in Ireland would be a game changer. It would be the thing the NTA would be most thanked for. Please try to tweak this so as to do that.