Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the cable car I will again speak to the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. At least it is a start. I would like a whole new service there. I would like a whole new ferry. I am determined to do this. I believe it is being judicially reviewed at present as there is some objection to what I believe are good proposals to provide a proper modern cable car facility. There are great opportunities there. It should be developed in the fullness of time. This is my view.

With regard to the waiting lists for children, there is an overarching waiting list plan by the Minister. Covid-19 had a huge impact on waiting lists. It exacerbated what were already significant delays. Let us not underestimate the impact of Covid-19 on waiting lists. Significant investment has been put in place to deal with that.

I would like to return to a question raised by Deputy Michael Collins earlier. It is only fair to the House to say there is a process of negotiation and discussion under way with private bus operators. When I was discussing it with the Deputy, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, helpfully said he had already met them six weeks ago. He was seeing what way he could do something for them with regard to application of the youth card reduction. There is further engagement on that front.

This will be the third time I will answer on the issue Deputy Higgins raised. This is illustrative of the broad views across the House in respect of IVF and the need to provide support and funding for it. I dealt with it in the previous two replies. The Minister will have a more comprehensive account of it as well.

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