Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputies for their comments. I do not have the specific answers to their questions but I will take them back. I thank them for the geography lesson on Dublin city and routes 73 and 123. The points the two Deputies make are very important. If we are asking people to have independent travel and encouraging the 15-minute concept of the city, then older people need to be able to access public transport. There is no point in having free public transport if they cannot access it. The points made by both Deputies are very relevant.

In the broader context, it is critical for the NTA to communicate, engage and respond proactively and actively to what the Deputies have raised tonight. It is about the citizen. It is about the active travel user. It is about the disabled person and the older person. The Deputies have very eloquently given testimony on the importance of older people being able to use public transport. I will communicate their views to the NTA. I apologise that I do not have answers to their specific questions, but I will take their views and concerns back.

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