Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes, but the Deputy said I am ducking them; I am not. I have discussed them in the Seanad. No Minister has appeared in the Seanad more often. I have taken questions in the Dáil on these issues. Deputy Troy tabled a motion on transport in the Dáil, which we debated. I am blue in the face from discussing the policy issues and I am happy to continue doing so with members.

The Deputy said I am interfering in other Minister's Departments and the Chairman must allow me to respond to that. The Deputy is referring to what is in the programme for Government in other Departments. I happen to be one part of a group and Fine Gael happens to be another part. I have to follow up those issues, which my group and I inserted in the programme for Government. That is not interfering in anybody else's Department; it is simply being loyal to the people who elected me on those issues alone.

The comment regarding Dublin is not fair. I have spent a great deal of time and energy communicating with the NTA and others to ensure there is connectivity if routes are closed. That is self-evident in the fact that additional buses have been deployed on the Athlone-Westport route.