Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for that response, the last paragraph of which was the most important. The rest was a good promotion for Government policy, as normal, which I understand but really a timeframe on this is what is required. While I appreciate that this is not the Minister of State's direct departmental responsibility, I ask her to engage with the Minister of Transport on it. I ask her to urge the Minister to tell the NTA to refocus its efforts in terms of timing and facilitation. The Minister of State seemed to indicate that money was made available in budget 2022 for the funding of the S3 and routes like it throughout the country. The people of the areas the Minister of State highlighted, from Finisklin Business Park through Maugheraboy and the other areas of the town currently not served, are well overdue to be catered for. It was my understanding that the bus stop locations were already determined and secured and that all that was needed at this point was pounds, shillings and pence to engage in the procurement of a bus, the recruitment of additional drivers if necessary and the commencement of the service. I ask the Minister of State to relay my concerns to the Minister for Transport and I look forward to getting an update from him.

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