Mr. Hugh Creegan:

We agree with Deputy Clendennen. Bus stops are important so that people know how to use the service and to give the right impression of the service, among other things. Bus stops must be done through the local authority. We cannot parachute ourselves into all the counties of Ireland to put in the bus stops. We have provided an allocation of €500,000 to every local authority in the country to provide new bus stops, bus stop enhancements and bus shelters, which we issued to them free of charge. We have a central contract for their provision. We will be able to reallocate more money if it is needed, because some local authorities will underspend while others will overspend.

We are working with the local authorities to roll out more bus stops across all services, including Local Link. That is the short answer. In fairness to local authorities, we understand that they are under pressure, as everybody throws functions at them and asks them to do things. Some local authorities are grabbing this and running with it and doing a lot, while others, because of resources, are not accomplishing as much.

The number of drivers who are entering the taxi industry is going up. Last year we had more drivers entering than we had for ten years.