Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Adams raised a range of issues. I again point out to him that the commercial end of Bus Éireann is not subsidised by the taxpayer. A total of 81% of passengers who travel by Bus Éireann are availing of the public transport system that is subsidised, a subvention that was increased to €40 million in 2016.

The Deputy says that nothing is being done about rural Ireland. I fundamentally disagree with this point. Not only have we drawn all the programmes together, there is, on a community basis, an opportunity for the vast majority of communities of small towns and villages to avail of benefits and opportunities under that programme. The rural transport links scheme that applies not only services rural Ireland, it also brings people from their homes to towns and villages and back again. There is always a consultation about the transport needs of every parish and community. This is where the rural transport link is exceptionally strong. Supports for rural Ireland include the programme relating to the development of IDA Ireland plants in different towns and villages throughout the State, the development of the hospitality sector, the retention of the 9% VAT rate, the abolition of the travel tax, the expansion of the lake land areas, the continuation of the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East initiatives and increased flights into the country. All of these measures are important.

On foreign direct investment, IDA Ireland has been directed that 135,000 of the 200,000 jobs to be created between now and 2020 should be located outside the greater Dublin region. The NTA means what it says. At a meeting of the Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport this morning, the NTA pointed out - as it has done on many occasions - that if there are any changes arising from the discussions that must take place between management and unions regarding Bus Éireann, it will, through its system, manage those changes in the context of connectivity for the public. The essential point is that the Expressway system is a commercial system and is not subsidised by the taxpayer. That is where the problem lies and it is the context in which it must be resolved. The Minister, Deputy Ross, is anxious that this would happen; that union and management will sit down again - difficult though it may be - to work to resolve their differences. Changes that arise from the Expressway system will be taken up by the NTA. I do not accept Deputy Adams' assertion that nothing is being done. In fact, more is being done for rural Ireland in so many ways. More than ever before there are signs throughout the country that increased opportunities are being taken up every day.

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