Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I would like to seek a meeting of the Laois Deputies with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport this week to deal with certain aspects of this reply. I would like to remind the Minister of State of the programme for Government between her party and mine, which states the following:

We recognise the need to rebalance transport policy to favour public transport. We will therefore establish a Cabinet sub-committee on Infrastructure to explore the benefits to the public transport passenger of more diverse bus service provision [...] The rural transport network is vital for rural communities as a reliable and sustainable transport service. We will maintain and extend the Rural Transport Programme with other local transport services as much as is practicable.

Will the Minister of State ensure the Government rejigs the subsidised routes to include Abbeyleix and Durrow? That is essential and is in keeping with the programme for Government.

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