Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

More than 800,000 people avail of the scheme. When one includes companions, the number rises to 1.2 million. It is very important that the major public transport providers - Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Irish Rail and Veolia, which operates the Luas - all allow people to use their free travel passes. Many people travel across the Border at weekends, even just for the day, which is also important.

The free travel pass is like gold dust. It is a lifeline for elderly people and is of great value to them. If nothing else, it is part of the legacy of Charles Haughey.

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