Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)

As the Minister of State is aware, Athenry has been without bus services to Galway city for nine months since the previous operator ended its service in September 2024. This is an unacceptable situation for a town of the size of Athenry. It is an enormous loss that has caused real difficulties for workers, students, people accessing hospital appointments and so on. It has caused particular difficulties for those who work early in Galway city because the first train does not arrive into Galway until 8.10 a.m. The lack of a bus has contributed to the serious overcrowding on rail services, which issue I have previously raised with the Minister of State. It has also inconvenienced people as the previous service stopped at the universities and industrial estates, while the train goes directly to Eyre Square.

Shortly after the previous service ended, the NTA stated it would provide for a public service obligation, PSO, bus service. Since then, it has been working with Bus Éireann to provide the service. However, we have now been without a bus service for nine months. How long does it take to get a bus service up and running? I ask the Minister of State to involve himself in the process and hold NTA and Bus Éireann accountable. There is considerable frustration locally and the situation cannot be allowed to drag on any longer.

I recently hosted the Brothers of Charity Galway advocacy council to provide a briefing for TDs and Senators in Leinster House. One issue highlighted by the council is the current booking system for the free travel pass. Many of the pass holders are required to pay booking fees, including on Irish Rail and commercial bus services. Free travel should mean free travel. I ask the Minister of State to engage with all of the operators to address the issue as a matter of urgency.

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