Mr. Stephen Kent:

We certainly would. In fact, I met members of Shannon Chamber of Commerce some time ago. Plans were probably in place for further improvements on the route directly serving Limerick, Shannon and Shannon Airport, and we knew all that information. While I was there, I went for a walk around the park and I saw that several new companies were coming in. I guess we were right, in advance of the onset of Covid-19, in giving some consideration to providing enhanced infrastructure, such as bus stops, and achieving a better understanding of some of the shift pattern movements. Some of those changes were certainly in train before Covid-19 struck.

I reiterate that those changes are still encompassed in many of the plans being considered. An example is route 343, in respect of enhancing that service with better buses and ensuring they will be more accessible. I can tell Deputy Carey that I would be very happy to engage in what he has just suggested. It would be subject to funding, however. Providing the additional frequency of services and redeploying the buses required is something we would depend on the NTA to do. To be fair, there is no lack of willingness on its side. We are all reliant to a great extent on funding coming through so we can provide that better service and bring in the improvements of which the Deputy spoke.