Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his presentation. Starting with the issue of post offices, there has been talk about Broadford post office, which has closed, as have others. We are all around long enough to know there has been talk about community banks and additional services being the salvation of the post office network. None of that has happened and post offices continue to close, as Broadford post office has closed. We are all well aware that establishing a community bank, which in essence is a brilliant idea, will require a cultural shift in the way we do our business and an input from the State. That will take a hell of a lot of time.

My concern is that a swathe of post offices will continue to close while we as an institution of the State continue to talk about all the things that can be done. They are going to take too long. What is needed now is a public service obligation, PSO, and direct funding by the State to stabilise the post office network and allow for the reopening of Broadford post office and the retention of the overall post office network at its current size. We can then look at the array of services which would make the post office network more profitable and less dependent on State funding. However, we have to get that foundation in place as soon as possible.

I also raise the issue of the situation in Shannon Airport. Other speakers have referred to the necessity to appoint a chairperson there quickly and I welcome the Minister's active engagement with stakeholders in the region, including with members of the Oireachtas and the chambers of commerce and with people who are in the know about the situation. The sooner that appointment can be made the better, but I really welcome the approach being taken by the Minister. Whatever the debacle was in this regard, it speaks volumes for the Public Appointment Service, PAS, and an investigation is needed. I am aware of several individuals who seemed eminently qualified who applied for the role and did not even get an interview. I have concerns about how PAS does its business. This may be an issue for another committee, but it is a matter which needs to be addressed.

In the context of the review of the national development plan, NDP, we are looking at how we can accommodate 1 million more people in our country, including putting in place aspects such as the requisite transport networks etc. and how we can achieve all that. In doing that, let us not forget the approximately 5 million people we already have. I support the approach being taken by the Minister, but there is real concern that the concentration of investment in public transport as opposed to roads will leave a gap and that we will not be removing the existing pinch points for the almost five million people currently experiencing difficulties on our roads.

In this regard, I think about the bridge in Killaloe, the inner relief road at Blake's Corner in Ennistymon and the road between Ennis and Ennistymon. These are key projects that I and anyone from County Clare is familiar with. We want to see those projects advanced. Public transport should of course be improved, as should Local Link which is doing really well and new services are being rolled out. However, we must also look at the speed at which people can get from point to point.

In regard to the new service from Ennis to Kilrush, it takes two and a half hours to get to the train station from Kilrush. It is not going to move people from cars to buses. We need to tighten it.