Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes, initially. That is what a pilot means. At best, if it is up and running by September and if the NTA decides to run the same pilot it ran on the Local Link night-time service for nine months, that will bring it into the following April or May, after which the NTA will perhaps seek additional resources to roll it out further. There are communities in rural Ireland that will not see anything for the best part of two years. I just want to be honest about this. This would be a big worry. I do not wish to rubbish what Ms Graham is suggesting as she is making comprehensive suggestions, but in terms of supporting rural Ireland, the lead-in time of between 20 and 24 months will result in much greater damage than has already been done.