Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Taking Clare for example, I agree with what was said about the bus service. We need rail and it is important, but I recall some years ago Ennistymon was served by just one or two buses a day. I agree about the costs, and the ability for us to double or triple that, and then the response when there is a reliable service is transformational. There are incredible towns and beautiful villages in Clare, right across the county. Reference was made earlier to Tulla. In Kilrush, Kilkee and right up to Lisdoonvarna, my sense is that a lot of them are starting to revive. People are thinking that they can raise a family and work remotely in County Clare, in a really attractive local environment with a strong culture. Some places are doing more than others. I will not give names here but everyone knows that certain villages are holding up while others are not. What is it? Why is it that one revives but not the other?

This might go back to the projects we fund. Connecting Ireland is critical because we could design a route in County Clare, as is starting to happen, where there are Local Link services. Previously, the Loop Head peninsula had a system whereby the post delivery was also a bus system. We need that sort of integrated transport planning that kills two birds with one stone and provides a regular service. Those towns and villages in County Clare in particular - not just Ennis, but all the towns and villages in the county- could really boom if they were on that bus service route. They will always be served by bus rather than by rail.

As regards the important review of the school bus transport system by the Minister for Education, I was merely saying we have to wait and see what it says in respect of the right way to go about it. If the Department of Transport has a greater role, then we should not shy away from that, particularly if it can provide some of that interconnectivity such that the bus transport for schools is connected to the wider enhancement of public transport systems. We will not be shy if that is the right thing to do, but that will be a matter for the Minister for Education and the Government to call.