Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is a huge honour for me to deliver my maiden speech in the Chamber today. I sincerely thank all of the Clare people who entrusted me with their votes in the recent general election. I am so proud to say I am now one of only three women ever elected to represent the people of Clare, and the first ever female Sinn Féin Deputy in the county. I take great pride in representing the Clare people and will do so to the best of my ability. I will work hard to deliver the change that people voted for. That means delivering solutions on housing, health, climate change, pensions, giving workers and families a break and advancing Irish unity.

We are in the midst of an unprecedented public health emergency and I send my condolences to the many families who have lost loved ones. As we now prepare to rebuild the economy and society, it is imperative that we prioritise a fair recovery. That will mean rebuilding the economy and investing our way out of recession; investing in universal healthcare; delivering the biggest public housing programme in the State's history, while creating thousands of jobs; and investing in our forgotten regions that will suffer most as a result of the neglect of successive Governments. That must be the bottom line.

Clare is one of those areas that has suffered at the hands of successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Governments, not least in the area of transport. The loss of the Clare Bus service contract while arrears are outstanding, only to be given to a private operator at a higher cost to the taxpayer, beggars belief. The board of Clare Bus feels its members have been discarded and cast aside. It is not acceptable that such a vital service would be treated in this manner. I welcome the planned meeting by video conference between Ms Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority, and Deputies from Clare, which I requested. However, I am disappointed that Clare Bus will not be represented at the meeting. I will seek a clear commitment on the future of Clare Bus, due to the loss of its service contract. Will the Minister clarify whether there has been a policy shift against the unique position of Clare Bus due to its being both a transport co-ordination unit and a bus company?

Will the Minister also step up and engage an independent mediator to resolve contractual issues between the NTA and Clare Bus, thereby enabling the release of funds owed to the company? Will he ensure this is done in a timely fashion to safeguard the future of Clare Bus and to allow it to potentially resume operating at some level? Some 72% of services currently provided by the private operator are not accessible and therefore exclude wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility. This is a distressing state in which to leave persons of need. Will the Minister confirm his commitment to this measure?

I also highlight the needs of Shannon Airport which, as we all know, is a vital asset to County Clare and the mid-west region. The Sinn Féin team in the mid-west recently met the CEO of Shannon Airport to convey our party's support in bringing forward solutions to help Shannon as we emerge from the Covid-19 shutdown. Unsurprisingly, given the total shutdown of international and tourism as a whole on this island, the challenges the airport faces are significant both financially and logistically. There is much concern about the future of Shannon Airport in light of its known struggles, which predate the Covid-19 pandemic. We need to protect it and to grow passenger numbers to ensure it can continue to operate successfully in a post-Covid world. What financial supports will be put in place to ensure the doors remain open, that flights continue and that, ultimately, jobs are protected?

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