Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Is he saying that there is no difference between somebody coming in from Wicklow to Dublin and an individual travelling from Goleen to Cork? There is a massive difference. There has to be. However, we have a serious crisis on public transport west Cork. It is astonishing that for some reason the NTA refused the offer of an on-the hour service from West Cork Connect, thus leaving adults and students on the roadside due to overcrowding. The erratic decision-making of the Minister for Transport is damaging the new routes being set up, as each month he announces 20% - this could rise to 50% - off public transport. That may be a positive announcement, but he is mainly applying this reduction to city transport users. I have worked very closely with West Cork Connect to get a new route encompassing Kinsale, Belgooly, Riverstreet and Ballinhassig, a first-time bus service for some people, licensed. This private bus operator, while having the vehicle, staff and licence, is afraid to invest because the Minister for Transport could wipe his business out when he announces the next reduction aimed at some, but not all, operators. The people of west Cork have been left behind for far too long when it comes to public transport. The Tánaiste has to stand up to the Minister for Transport in order to ensure that when all these positive reductions in public transport fares for passengers are announced, all rural and urban private and public bus users will benefit and that public, mainly Bus Éireann, and private transport companies will work together to deliver for the people of west Cork who remain disconnected in the context of rural transport.

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