Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from the Cathaoirleach, Deputy Naughten.

Members participating in the meeting remotely are required to do so from within the Leinster House complex only. I ask members and witnesses to please turn off their mobile phones or ensure that they are on silent mode. Members of the committee participating remotely are asked to use the raise-hand function on Microsoft Teams, if they wish to contribute.

The provision of rural public transport, which we are here this morning to discuss, is a significant priority for this joint committee. Our work programme on the topic includes the following items: progress in the Connecting Ireland programme; issues of transport deprivation and forced car ownership in rural communities; challenges facing Local Link services in increasing provision; integration and co-ordination of public transport services; barriers to active transport in rural areas; considering the every village, every hour mode,l which pertains in other jurisdictions; and the provision of supporting infrastructure such as bikes and bus shelters.

Local Link transport services provide an important service to the rural communities which they serve. Transport for Ireland, TFI, Local Link focuses on responding to rural isolation, and enhancing the mobility, accessibility and community participation of local people, particularly those at risk of social exclusion.

The national rural development policy entitled Our Rural Future recognises that people living in rural areas should have access to good quality public services that enable them to continue to live sustainably in rural communities and help them to maintain a good quality of life. If we are to fulfil our climate action goals and our sustainable development obligations, it is clear that we need a reliable, green, integrated rural public transport system which reaches as many people as possible.

It is well worth acknowledging some of the positives we have seen in recent years. For instance,107 new rural bus routes have been established over the last 104 weeks, which is more than a bus route per week. We know that post Covid-19, Ireland has bucked the trend internationally in terms of the numbers of people availing of public transport use, with numbers not just recovering, but exceeding pre-Covid-19 levels. I note that is particularly apparent in some of our rural bus services.

Yesterday marked the anniversary of the reductions in public transport fares. When so much else was increasing in price, our public transport fares decreased by 20% across the board, with young people enjoying that 50% reduction. With advances like ticket technology including the TFI Leap card being rolled out increasingly on Local Link services, that is now allowing users of rural bus services to avail of these discounted fares.

To discuss these matters, among others, I welcome to the meeting today representatives from Irish Rural Link, namely, Mr. Seamus Boland, Ms Miriam McKenna and Mr. Alan Kerry; and from the National Transport Authority, NTA, namely, Ms Anne Graham, CEO, Mr. Tim Gaston, director of public transport services, and Ms Bláthín McElligott, Local Link programme manager.

Before we start, I wish to explain some of the limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses with regard to references members or witnesses may make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who wish to give evidence from within the parliamentary precinct is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory regarding an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks, and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

With those pieces of housekeeping out of the way, I now call on Mr. Seamus Boland to make his opening statement.