Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy outlined the various issues regarding contracts, transport costs, islander rates, the Attorney General giving legal advice and the ferries between Ros an Mhíl and Doolin. The sustainability of the communities on our offshore islands is a core objective of the Government, as the Deputy knows, and is set out in its Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, Our Rural Future. The policy acknowledges the importance for island communities of access to reliable, safe and affordable connectivity services to and from the mainland. I do not have to be telling the Deputy because he is very familiar due to the work he has done over the years.

Contracts for these services are procured by the Department of Rural and Community Development on the open market through the procurement process. This ensures that all potential providers are treated equally and the selection process is fair and transparent for all.

The fare reduction scheme recently introduced by the Department of Transport is managed by the NTA and only targets the PSO bus and train routes under its remit, as the Deputy outlined. The scheme covers public transport services operated by Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland and Transport for Ireland, TFI, Local Link. It does not, however, include other subsidised transport services managed by the Department of Transport, such as the PSO air service to Donegal and Kerry, nor does it include private commercially operated services licensed by the NTA. Furthermore, the scheme does not extend to transport services currently managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

In terms of supporting the island communities through reduced fares, the Deputy is aware that islanders already benefit from substantially reduced fare on the subsidised ferry and air services, representing a discount of up to 60% compared to the rate charged for visitors, which is where the €8 or €10 is. Many offshore islands have a mix of subsidised and non-subsidised transport services, and introducing a new fare reduction scheme for chosen suppliers could have the potential to undermine those procurement procedures and may also lead to reduced services to the islands, particularly with regard to non-subsidised services and other private operators who may be placed at a disadvantage.

The Department of Rural and Community Development has sought advice from the Attorney General on this matter, as the Deputy said. Officials have been engaging in this since March and I understand a response has been received and is currently being considered by officials in the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Ensuring that the island communities can continue to avail of reliable and affordable transport service remains a core objective for this Government. The Deputy can be assured that the Minister and her officials are aware of the impact that rising fuel costs is having on service operators and are examining ways to address the matter within the provisions of the existing contracts.

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