Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I am constrained by time. I will bring today's meeting to a conclusion. On behalf of the members and on my own behalf as Chair, I thank all our witnesses for their contributions today. Reflecting on my notes, what is clear from the discussion and the engagement today is that rural bus transport is still evolving. Many challenges remain, particularly around service provision, service reliability, recruitment, long-term sustainability and equity between public and private providers. The committee will reflect on today's meeting and on the evidence heard and may make specific recommendations to the Minister. Ultimately, our goal is that people in rural Ireland enjoy the same right to mobility and opportunity as those in our cities. We touched on the issue of accessibility and I want to make that appeal. It is very important to me that accessibility is build into the DNA of every route, timetable and vehicle. I urge the NTA, Local Link, Bus Éireann and the CTTC to put people with disabilities, whether those disabilities are visible or hidden, at the very centre of their planning, not on the margins. When it comes to transport, it needs to work for everybody. When it works for everybody, it truly serves the public good. I thank everybody. The meeting stands adjourned until 9.30 a.m. on 22 October, when the committee will meet in public session.