Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

I would also like to request that meeting. I requested a meeting with the Minister last week, so it is to be hoped we can have it. It is vital that Johnstown, Cullahill, Durrow and Abbeyleix are protected. There needs to be a public service obligation for the route. I question the issue of commercial viability, and the same case can be made for Mountrath and Borris-in-Ossory on the N7 route. It is proven that the existence of bus shelters leads to more people using the bus. We need to work with companies like Adshel and the local county councils to put bus shelters in place to enhance these routes and make them commercially viable.

We cannot wipe away this service completely. The Minister of State mentioned in her reply that the new route will save 50 minutes. According to the proposed timetable and the old timetable, it will save half an hour. The motorways are longer in some cases, while buses can only travel at a maximum of 100 km/h per hour on both the motorways and the old N7 and N8. I question the notion that it will save all this time. It is unrealistic. The timetable is unworkable for a number of reasons that I will not go into due to time constraints. I pointed that out to the Bus Éireann representatives today. I ask the Minister of State to take back the message that we want this route retained and the service improved.

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