Mr. Gerry Murphy:

I am willing to examine both issues. It is a good point raised to examine whether we are doing something that prevents provision.

Deputy Colreavy asked a number of detailed questions that Ms Graham will answer. He mentioned discretionary services and Deputy Griffin said that Deputies will examine that closely. We understand that we have a serious role to play here. We are very pleased the Government has placed rural transport in our remit because it brings it together with the scheduled services for which we are in contract with Irish Rail, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, and the licensing we do for private operators. Bringing rural transport into that mix allows us to consider the continuum of transport for people in isolated rural areas, how they can get to employment or education, or carry out other business, and how they can connect to national services. We have carried out reviews throughout the country on a better link between Bus Éireann services, private operators' services and this connecting service from rural transport. We hope over the coming years we will start seeing reconfigurations that better pick up all the services.