Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The key point is that in two weeks' time, and if he follows Professor McCarthy's advice, the Minister for Finance could use the budget to pull the rug from under the rural transport programme. Amendment No. 7, which relates to the licensing provision in section 7, states that the rural transport service should be licensed as a bus service. This would place the principle which underpins the rural transport service at the core of the legislation. That service has been built up during the past six years, it is extremely valuable and all political parties have received strong representations in respect of it. Members of the Joint Committee on Public Transport met representatives of a number of operators, such as OK Transport, West Cork Rural Transport others, and were deeply impressed with the work these operators do for their local communities. A number of these companies to which I refer provide significant amounts of their own funding, which is also impressive. Some of them provide up to 50% of their funding from fares they receive.

By means of these amendments, the Labour Party is trying to make legislative provision in respect of the rural transport service. If my party enters Government in the future, I would like an integrated rural transport service to be the subject of legislation in order that those who live in rural communities might be granted fundamental basic rights. In Sweden, Norway and the UK, this matter has already been dealt with in legislation. It would be good if the rural transport service were enshrined in legislation. I am of the view that amendments Nos. 2 and 3 should have been taken together and if the former is not acceptable, then the latter would provide a fine alternative.

While I accept his points with regard to the local services provided by hackneys, taxis, etc., I ask the Minister of State to reconsider his position. If he does not do so, we will be obliged to return to this matter in the future.

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