Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Has any of the delegates heard of places such as Clogh, Muckalee, Moneenroe and Conahy? They are real communities and not that far from Castlecomer, County Kilkenny. Castlecomer would have been the central point for communities living in these areas to access services. They are real communities. I find it extraordinary that Bus Éireann states it is not prepared to reveal plans to withdraw services from rural areas such as these because of commercial sensitivities. The main problem is that most people see Bus Éireann and CIE as public service vehicles. Its representatives may try to explain that they have a commercial non-subsidised service, but people simply see a bus that has been providing a service since the 1930s. They find it impossible to comprehend a decision can be made without local consultation. I pay tribute to a colleague, Councillor Pat Fitzpatrick from outside Castlecomer, who was the first person to find this out. The chances are, as Mr. Nolan says, that he found out through some of the staff. The rumours were then picked up by the Kilkenny Peopleand local media and the campaign to seek clarification and retain the services started. The same happened with the route through Bunclody and Wicklow where Councillor Barbara-Anne Murphy repeatedly tried to make contact with Mr. Nolan's office and Bus Éireann. Eventually, some response was received.

The role of the NTA is crucial. If, as we are hearing, Bus Éireann must wash its face with the Expressway routes and will progressively withdraw services from rural towns and villages, there must be a social role the NTA should fill. It is rather interesting that in both presentations today there were regular references to matters being subject to finance or a lack of finance. Therefore, the question is what is the role of the Government and the Department. Do the delegaes agree that there is a need for increased resources to ensure that when there is a withdrawal of services from rural Ireland, alternatives are put in place? I would like them to clarify the position on route 7 out of Bunclody. My understanding is that it does not currently operate on any motorway. Bus Éireann made the point that, as part of its social dividend, it provided Expressway connections to many of the secondary locations which have now been bypassed on foot of the expanding motorway network. That might be clarified as I understand route 7 does not run along a motorway. It provides a service for students and people attending hospital appointments and doing various other things. What are they going to do now that the service has been withdrawn?

Perhaps this is a question I should direct to Ms Graham and the NTA. What are the NTA's plans in this matter? It states, in relation to route 7, that a working group of representatives has been established. That is a positive development, but it should not result in hundreds of people turning up at public meetings once the news starts to break in a local community. More than 200 people came out in Bunclody, more than 300 in Castlecomer and more than 200 in Athy. These are people who will be adversely affected by the withdrawal of services. What is the role of the NTA in this context? What services is it going to provide to meet the needs of rural communities? It states it will shortly engage actively with the group, that a replacement service has been finalised and that local representatives will be briefed in the next week on the proposals to be made.

Does it see a role for the extension of licences to private operators under the PSO to provide feeder services to larger communities? Even if they were to use minibuses or small buses, that might prove viable.

What is the funding mechanism for access for those with travel passes? I understand the Department of Social Protection withdrew funding for services on PSO routes and that if it does negotiate with the NTA for a licence to operate such a service, the operator cannot pick up passengers with travel passes. Will the delegates clarify this because I have not been able to obtain a clear answer from the Department? How is the subsidy spent and is it true that a private operator granted a licence will not be allowed to pick up passengers with travel passes? When one considers the demographics in rural Ireland, where there is a large number of elderly people, that seems to be counter-productive.

What will Mr. Nolan do about the withdrawal of services? Does Bus Éireann see itself as having any obligation whatsoever to provide alternative services, or is it just the case that it will operate end to end between large centres and effectively cut out the rest of rural Ireland of any transport service alternative? Is it its role to address this, or is it the role of the NTA and, ultimately, the Government? Is it a question of resources? If Bus Éireann and the NTA had enough money from the Exchequer, would they be able to provide alternative services in those rural areas where services are being withdrawn?