Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It must be said by those on all sides that no one can condone the protest outside the Tánaiste's house last weekend. Nothing seems to be out of bounds at the moment. I stand in solidarity with him on this.

I wish to speak about rural Ireland. When I was going to school in 1980, old yellow buses used to bring youngsters to school in all parts of Ireland. With Covid, the capacity of buses was reduced by 50%. Unfortunately, some children have been left behind. This seems to be an annual thing. We have become a more affluent society and we are leaving children behind. As buses in cities are rightly back to operating at full capacity, obviously children can get to school. However, in rural areas, mothers and fathers who need to go to work are trying to solve the problem of bringing their youngsters to school. A few months ago, the Tánaiste and his colleagues decided to vote in new climate change legislation. Now, we are putting more people on the road.

In today's edition of the Irish Farmers' Journal, there is a report in which the Taoiseach and Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine speak about stabilising the herd. There is considerable confusion. Youngsters starting out in farming who approach a bank need to know their future and where they are going. Will the Government go back to 100% capacity on buses and sort out the children whose fathers or mothers are now going on the road? If the Government is so interested in climate change, will it sort them out by ensuring that the buses go back to 100% capacity, which will thereby allow them to cater for most of the children who are being transported in cars and SUVs at present?

In light of what is reported in the Irish Farmers' Journalthis morning, it is important for farmers and others in rural areas for the Government to indicate if it is staying with the roadmap in respect of nitrates - with different figures for dairy cows, suckler cows, calves, etc. - or is there a new agenda under the climate legislation. Can we have clarity for those farmers going forward?

Energy prices have soared. You will say that people will get more in their fuel allowance but I am talking about the people who make up middle Ireland here, Taoiseach. They are paying more on fuel to bring their kids to school, paying more to go to work and more to heat their homes. Middle Ireland does not get any of those subsidies. Will you please answer those questions for me?

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