Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

All those things are wonderful around the country, but they are having zero impact on the 132 service. After much correspondence, the NTA is now saying this cannot progress as the Department of Transport has placed a hold on uncommitted expenditure for new public transport services. Can this issue be resolved? Many people have approached me saying they would use the service but cannot because of the limited timetable. The last bus leaves Baltinglass at 3 o’clock in the afternoon and the last leaves Dublin at 5.30 p.m. In fact, there is now a proposal to abolish a Thursday service from Carnew, which joins this route in Baltinglass. Therefore, the service is actually being reduced.

The Department advises that it and the NTA are currently engaging in relation to funding the PSO programme. The Minister is saying funding is not a problem. To say I am deeply frustrated is an understatement. Can we please get to the bottom of this?

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