Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. A great deal has been said already on this matter and I will try not to revisit any of the ground that has been covered.

Instead of just discussing the free travel scheme, like Deputy McHugh I am of the opinion that we should seek to focus more on rural transport and opening up further access routes to rural areas. Not all areas are covered by public transport and while the free travel pass is of huge benefit to some people, they do not always have the opportunity to use it. A much wider and more substantial debate must take place in respect of that matter.

I understand that when the issue to which the motion relates was first raised, two senior Cabinet Ministers stated in very clear terms that there will be no changes whatsoever to the scheme. As a result, I have come to the conclusion there is a certain element of scaremongering going on.

Many people were frightened by this. Like the previous Government we certainly have not always got it right in previous budgets when dealing with those over 70 years. Certain mistakes were made and they need to be learned from. One point I often hear from people over 70 years is that they have worked all their lives and the free travel pass is one of the few benefits they can look forward to. It is the one thing they would hate to have taken away. Another issue that has come up often in recent years is the change in the telephone allowance and I am keen for us to re-examine that. There is no point in believing we have got it right all the time. That issue caused a great deal of concern, particularly for those who suffer from rural isolation and who live in fear of crime. The allowance was one of the things that kept them in contact with people at all times.

I do not intend going over what has already been said. I am disappointed in the Private Members' motion, it is simply scaremongering for people. I am unsure where Fianna Fáil came up with the motion or the thought process after the brains trust came together. Sometimes I wonder whether Fianna Fáil are a little like Brazil last night in that perhaps their best days are behind them even if they were a big deal once. I am unsure where this motion has come from. A change has been ruled out completely. There will be no changes to the free travel scheme in next year's budget.

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