Mr. Chris White:

I will take up a couple of points mentioned by Deputy Imelda Munster. As I said, we welcome the reduction of notice time to four hours, but we do not see it as a finishing point. We welcome it as a progression from a poor position to a better position but it is not the end. We want to see fully staffed stations as a matter of course at every location in the country, thus enabling equal access. The taxi card system would not be a new matter for any Minister in transport or social protection. We have made the suggestion in many pre-budget submissions and direct engagement with Ministers. It has always been well received as a good idea but the political will to deliver it is clearly challenging.

I echo my colleagues in the sector in that we are very concerned about private bus operators and the ability to deliver an equal and accessible service. We must ensure that the NTA and the licensing process are rigorous in how they police private operators of bus lines around the country so as to enable equal access, whether people are in Fermoy, Dundalk, Letterkenny or Dublin. It cannot just be about public services providing accessible transport. It must be universal.