Mr. Rory Leahy:

There is not a huge difference between the length of the main road route and the route through Carracastle. The issue is one of trying to present an attractive service. The route is losing money and radical surgery had to be applied to this and other routes. We are trying to look at the route on a commercial basis. Where usage of the service was small we have had to make some uncomfortable decisions, as Mr. Martin Nolan said.

We are engaging with local communities in all the locations concerned. We are trying to establish where solutions can be found, principally through the PSO network in conjunction with the NTA. We will continue to do that. We have done this in Carracastle, Dromod and Roosky. I was in Carrick-on-Shannon yesterday, meeting local councillors and in Elphin on Friday last, meeting Deputy Naughten and other concerned people. I was also in Bawnboy yesterday in relation to changes on route 30. We are engaging with people and trying to find solutions to these problems. They are stemming from the losses we are incurring on some of our express routes. Express routes cannot make a loss for our operation.

The area of Donegal referred to by Deputy McHugh is a part of the country where Bus Éireann does not operate. The Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Company is a local independent bus operator in County Donegal that provide a level of service that is licensed by the NTA. Bus Éireann has no direct involvement with Rathmullan or with the services in that locality. If we were asked to have some involvement we could look at that.

Senator Mooney mentioned Roosky and Dromod. We are engaged locally on that issue. We have a daily express service via Dromod and Roosky on route 23. There has been some comment on the suitability of the timings and we are looking at that.

The issue of services to and from Ballinamore and Mohill stems from the withdrawal, last year, of an Ulsterbus service from Derry through Enniskillen to Longford. Bus Éireann had nothing to do with that service. Its withdrawal has left Ballinamore with a much reduced public transport service. We are aware of the issues and the NTA is also aware of them. If we can improve matters within the bounds of the existing public service contract we will try to do so.