Ms Anne Graham:

In terms of the contracted services, which are those that we subsidise, we will ensure that the free travel passes are accepted on those services. However, this is subject to the NTA retaining the level of funding it has received from the Department of Social Protection up to now. In terms of the licensed commercial operators, whether they want to take part in the free travel scheme is a commercial decision for them. Obviously, because they do not get 100% of the fare forgone related to their services the decision for them is whether or not to accept a discount. As I said, that is a commercial for them. At this stage, those operators cannot be obliged to participate in the free travel scheme.