Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentation. I represent the constituency of Sligo-North Leitrim which, at the next general election, will include Sligo, all of Leitrim, south Donegal and west Cavan. I see the value of rural transport every day and the difference it has made to people living in isolated parts of the constituency. At committee meetings, one finds that very little time is spent on praise; we talk more about problem areas that concern us.

Rural transport is a discretionary service; it is not a legal right or citizens' entitlement. The Government can grant the service or withhold it at any time. That concerns me, for starters, because rural transport should be a statutory right. I would like the Government to address it rather than the NTA, which is not in a position to do so.

I share the concerns expressed by a number of people here that service improvements are often described as such when the real objective is cost containment. While I am all in favour of streamlining services and getting the maximum bang for one's buck from the services provided, if the intention is to control costs then it will be difficult for the NTA to deliver on its promise of collecting more than 70% of people in rural areas from their homes and bringing them to their destination. It will also be difficult even to maintain the current level of service.

In 2009, administration costs accounted for 22%, which is extremely high compared to comparable services.

Have the administration costs in 2015 and 2016 been calculated and included? To what extent have communications and joint working arrangements been developed between rural and school transport contractors and private bus hire companies? Have links been developed with Bus Éireann to ensure, for example, that people can connect with the nearest stop for inter-city services if they want to move outside their own areas? I ask the witnesses to explain in more detail the role of community car drivers in terms of insurance implications and fitness to practise. Another member asked a valid question about engagement with local hackney and taxi drivers.

My final question concerns cross-Border rural transport. A town in County Fermanagh could be much closer to a person living in a rural area in County Leitrim than a town in the latter county, andvice versa.