Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegation of private operators. What percentage of the school transport routes would have a service? There has been a review and restructuring which has led to a reduction in such routes over the past 12 months in particular. If the private operators had a larger share of that market, would they provide a more competitive service at a reduced cost, which may enable the Department of Education and Skills to fulfil the old school routes? Currently there is a process to join up catchment areas, with overlapping, and where there had been a good service, many schoolchildren now seem to be losing out. This poses many problems for families in rural Ireland.

I agree with Senator Mooney that the map tells a story, as there seems to be complete neglect of the north west and west of the country. The private operators are looking to co-operate with Bus Éireann with regard to depots and State-owned properties. Would they be able to provide the necessary structures to deliver a service across the country? How much integration is there with Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland in promoting the country? There is a role for everybody in the transport industry to become involved in bringing more people into the country. A significant number of beds are lying idle in hotels and guest houses and there is a role for the private operators here to get into the global market. Perhaps in addition to transporting people around the country, they could look to bring people into the country as well in co-operation with tourist bodies.