Mr. Padraig Cribben:

Rural isolation is a major issue. We steered clear of mentioning rural isolation in our presentation because it is interpreted by certain commentators in a specific way, which we believe is not particularly helpful.

We previously engaged with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and with Deputy Alan Kelly when he was Minister, about a rural hackney service. The former Minister introduced it. We have found that there is much red tape associated with it that is making it almost impossible to operate. Many of our members drive people home at night. That happens quite regularly across the country. For a number of reasons, however, it is not as simple as getting in the car and driving people home. Business is such that, in most instances, there is one person behind the bar at night. There is a situation where there are a number of people in the bar. One guy wants to go east and the other wants to go west. When one is taking the guy east, should the guy who wants to go west be left in charge of the bar while one is away? It is desirable but not practical in many cases. What we have been seeking for some time is some form of business relief for those who buy, for example, seven-seater minibuses to ferry people to and from establishments. No such business relief is available.

We have engaged with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, particularly on the rural hackney service, with some level of success but we believe that changes are needed. We have tried to engage with the Departments of Finance and Transport, Tourism and Sport on the issue of business relief for those who buy seven-seater minibuses but without success. Rural isolation is a big issue. We believe that, in looking at the issue before us, we would be muddying the water by bringing that in as a factor.