Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)

I assure Deputy Ward that the Department, the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, and I are aware of the needs of Donegal, which I visited in July. It is not correct that the Government has not invested in transport in Donegal. I referenced the Local Link service. We can see the phenomenal investment and growth in that service. I fully acknowledge the Deputy's personal stories of people who have to travel. I met some of those people on my visit to Donegal during the summer.

It is important to recognise that the Department is reviewing the key programmes and projects in the transport envelope in the context of the national development plan. That capital funding envelope will include investment in the rail network. As I said, a decision will be made in the coming months within the available funding. The Government is prioritising connectivity in Donegal and the proof is in the roll-out of new and enhanced bus services. I take the Deputy's point on the need for further investment. We are looking at that.

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