Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I echo the Tánaiste's expression of sympathy regarding Mikey and Thelma. Our thoughts are with the passer-by who came to their aid, those in the medical services, the staff in the hospital and all those first responders, as well as with the children of St. Cremin's National School and the Montessori institution that the children attended. Their loss has left an indelible mark, not just on Multyfarnham and Rathowen, but extending to the wider community and across the country.

The Tánaiste mentioned the importance of school transport to rural areas. He is correct about that. He referred to the concerns of parents as well. He is again correct. He also mentioned the vital nature of the service, and he is again right in this regard. I must, however, put it to him that those 21,000 additional tickets come nowhere near meeting the demand existing in rural communities. If we are serious about tackling our carbon footprint and if we want to increase accessibility to schools, then a vital part of doing that is the school transport system. It requires fundamental reform and significant investment to ensure it is fit for purpose, not only for children now but also in future. We have an utterly bizarre situation now where staff in the regional hospital in Mullingar cannot get their children to school. What does it say about us as a society and a State that we could not simply do the maths in this regard and figure out what additional capacity was needed?

I cannot be the only TD in this room whose phone started ringing the minute that announcement was made with expressions of interest from parents. I do not doubt for one second that the Minister, Deputy Foley, received those calls also. What I do not understand and do not accept is the utter failure to plan in this regard.

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