Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Deputy has raised this issue. Aircoach and other commercial coach operators have, as the Deputy has said, provided an important service through Covid and in ordinary times. They were expanding rapidly, as well as our public service obligation, PSO, services, and will do so again as we return from Covid. There is not an obligation on commercial operators to take travel passes, but many do and they avail of a subvention scheme in that regard. I will follow up on the details. I do not have the specifics in this case but I will ask my office to look at it and very much encourage the NTA to try to support them and make it available.

See this speech in context