Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

When the Minister drills down into "BusDisconnects" she will see that is not what is happening. Communities are being cannibalised by the loss of routes. One example I heard about involved a person standing at a bus stop in Wellington Lane for one hour. There were three 54As, four 15As and four 150s, which is a total of 11 buses. With BusConnects there would be a combination of F1s, F2s and G4s, giving a total of eight buses for an area where it has been proposed to halve the routes. The NTA has not carried out a proper consultation. Meetings have not been advertised widely. Public representatives such as councillors and Deputies have advertised the proposed changes. There has been no consultation in Raheny or Drimnagh and that is the case across the city. I urge the Government to scrap the proposal. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport should do that. He has the power under section 26. There should be proper consultation. Bus drivers were not consulted by Jarrett Walker who came up with the proposals. The NTA's remit has been presented to the people. The plan should not be accepted. Money should be invested to ensure proper bus services and to develop the existing service. The proposal should not be accepted and it should be scrapped.

See this speech in context