Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I want to preface my comments by saying that low cost is not always the best value for money and I was glad to hear Mr. Murphy say that the subsidy will not be reduced further. I want to address the issue of local area hackney licences. Will it be the remit of the local authority to monitor this licence or will it be the remit of the NTA? It is not very clear from the documentation I have examined in regard to these licences whether hackney drivers are allowed to make a profit or how much of a profit they can make. The terms of how they can operate are unclear. Like my colleague, I suspect we will soon get representations regarding displacement and concerns about this. I know that part of the process in applying for licences is the need to demonstrate clearly there is a deficit in regard to transport in the area in which someone wishes to operate.

I apologise for being late and if I am going over old ground. Some 10% of routes are to go to tender, but in the case of Waterford city some 100% of routes are to go to tender. Why does the 10% not apply in Waterford? Mr. Murphy said that the authority was piloting new rural transport schemes which co-ordinate with existing school transport services in County Roscommon, Tramore in County Waterford and the Copper Coast. We are experiencing significant difficulties in County Carlow in regard to transport, so would it be possible to include County Carlow in the pilot schemes?