Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On page 53 of the programme for Government it is stated the Government recognises the value of rural transport and will examine how best to improve rural bus network services in regions. Over Christmas and new year period hundreds of people vented their fury to me at how the Minister, Deputy Shane Ross, had been allowed by the Government, supported by Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, to freely inflict almost complete lack of movement in rural Ireland without any rural-proofing of the effects it could have, or an examination of how a proper transport service could be put in place to counter such a mess that could lead to the loss of thousands of jobs in the pub and tourism industries and to allow hard-working people to come and go on a night out, something now they cannot do.

Thousands of young drivers are now not allowed to drive unless accompanied by the holder of a full licence. That is another piece of work by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, without any measures set in place. Young people in west Cork are waiting six months for driving tests. How can the Government reverse the mess being made for so many of these people in rural Ireland?

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