Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Unfortunately, this debate is far too short and I only have two minutes to contribute. I will try to be brief. I have been a strong advocate of public transport. I must say that the inaction over years by the Department of Transport and the NTA on simple issues that could be done immediately has been absolutely staggering. There was a consultation on Connecting Ireland but we do not have any buses. I have been asking Ministers, including the present Minister, and the NTA if they have done any scientific analysis or research on the relationship between the frequency of service, increases in that frequency and the number of passengers. The answer is a deafening silence. It is a fundamental question.

What we know, of course, is that when the frequency of rail services from Cork to Cobh and from Athenry to Galway, and bus services from Galway to Carraroe, were increased, there was a dramatic increase in the number of passengers. We need to get the academic, scientific evidence because it will stand up the proposition that if there is an infrequent service, people cannot be expected to take it.

We campaigned for three buses to leave Galway for an Cheathrú Rua and to come back along the most populated route out of Galway. It was amazing that it took a year and a half for the NTA to make a decision that should have been made in 24 hours. We hear about active travel but there is a lack of action. They want great and fantastic things but never seem to do the simple things that would change people's lives dramatically.

The point made about non-urban fares is valid. The 20% reduction in fares did not apply to the only non-subsidised company in the country, Expressway, and the private companies that provide services. It is amazing. They are all in rural Ireland, which is also amazing.

The Minister mentioned the Salmon Weir Bridge in Galway. I have for years wanted to see that bridge designated for public transport and active travel only. However, there is one snag. If we do that and do not build an extra bridge, that is, the bypass, two bridges are left across the River Corrib and one of them is very narrow. It is not adequate to allow the 80,000 people to the west and the 3 million people to the east to get across.

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