Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for the reply. The figure I have been given, and the fare I know people are paying, is the return fare, which increased from €18.50 to €27.30. That is a somewhat different percentage increase than that for the single fare he cited. He quite correctly said the intention is to have a fair charging system. That is not applicable in the case of the Cavan route I referenced in my introductory remarks.

One issue I have been raising since before the Minister of State was appointed, during the term of office of the former Minister, Eamon Ryan, was the need to introduce a direct Cavan to Dublin service, leaving Cavan in the morning at peak times, 5 a.m. or 6 a.m., stopping in only Virginia and Whitegate on the Cavan-Meath border and then going directly to Busáras. At the moment, most services go through Kells and other Meath towns, which means it takes those wishing to travel from Cavan to Dublin longer.

In the evening time, when people are returning to Cavan, if they leave at around 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when the bus for Cavan reaches Blanchardstown or Phibsborough, it is sometimes full. Many passengers on the bus are passengers going to Meath towns, where there is a welcome frequency of buses to Navan and Kells. Local employees in Bus Éireann are as anxious as commuters and I are to see direct routes leaving Busáras at peak evening times, between 3.30 p.m and 5.30 p.m., that would stop only at Whitegate on the Cavan-Meath border, Virginia and Cavan town.

As I said, early morning buses from Cavan should leave Cavan, stop at Virginia and Whitegate and then travel directly to Busáras. That would considerably enhance the standard of service for commuters and people travelling every day. I know it is very difficult for Bus Éireann employees to see patients leaving James Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown having to wait hours to get on a bus. That is not acceptable. I hope the Minister of State can raise the issue with the Minister.

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