Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I support these amendments. I agree with Deputy Broughan that amendment No. 7, in particular, is important. The key issue in this regard is the provision of transport services for those who live in isolated communities in rural and urban areas. People in many parts of Dublin city do not have access to public transport. I refer to individuals who live in estates which were built during the boom and which are located some distance from rail and public bus routes.

The rural transport initiative has been a huge success. Colleagues who represent areas throughout the country are in favour of it. When cuts are made in the budget, the unkindest cut of all that could be made would be to remove a service that is a lifeline for those — particularly those who are elderly and who do not own cars — who live in rural or isolated communities.

I reiterate the point I made on Committee Stage, namely, that a number of State and semi-State transport and delivery systems operate in rural areas. One of these is the An Post mail collection service. An Post's vehicles visit rural and other isolated areas every day. Would it not be possible for the company to adapt these vehicles or to use minibuses or mini-vans in order that the carriage of passengers might be facilitated? This would make a great deal of sense because postal routes are predefined and An Post vehicles visit isolated and rural communities on a regular basis and are more or less always on time.

I am aware that analysis is being carried out by the Government, the HSE and many other service providers. Perhaps An Post should be included as part of that analysis. Joined-up thinking on the part of An Post and the health service could see the former's vehicles used to transport people to hospital. There is duplication of services in rural areas. For example, certain transport operators — these may or may not be funded by the State — only cater for particular types of passengers. I am not being critical in this regard because certain people, whether they have disabilities or whatever, require dedicated transport services.

I am of the view that if this amendment were accepted and if there was co-operation among the various service providers — be they voluntary, public or private operators — we could witness the creation of a more effective transport service. The latter is, after all, the central theme of the Bill.

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