Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I do not know if he knows the area in question. Bluebell, the Kylemore Road, Inchicore village, Grattan Crescent and Bulfin Estate are all served by the 68, 69 and 13 bus routes. The 13 bus brings people to Thomas Street. The 69 bus brings people down by the Gaelscoil in Islandbridge. The 68 bus brings people to Clanbrassil Street, Camden Street and the eye and ear hospital. It provides great connectivity. Those services are going to be replaced.

On consultation, our community engaged with the NTA. More than 200 submissions were made requesting that those services would be retained, or if not, a proposal was made for an alternative route which the NTA did not take on board. It fired ahead with its intention to withdraw these services. I wrote to the NTA and sought a meeting with Deputies, other public representatives and residents. The NTA refused. Its representatives said they might meet us before the implementation of these changes. That is disconnecting, as opposed to connecting, people.

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