Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We need balance and perspective in all debates. Thousands of people had free school transport, which Deputy Clarke described as a shambles. For thousands of people who received free school transport it was not a shambles. I believe 115,000 received free school transport as a result of the Minister's interim initiative in the context of the crisis we were going through. It was innovative in the context of climate change. That is where we should be heading. The review is ongoing. As Deputy Clarke said, phase 2 was completed late last year. Phase 3 will be completed shortly. I presume it cannot be published until it is completed. It will include recommendations on the future operation of the Department's school transport scheme.

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