Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I join other Senators in seeking a debate on family matters. It would be timely considering the recent tenth anniversary of the divorce referendum. It is time to reflect on whether we were right or wrong. The CSO figures provide food for thought, showing an increase of 70% in the number of divorced people. There is also great variation, with Limerick and Dublin showing the highest rates and Galway and Cavan the lowest. We could arrange a wide-ranging debate on family law matters, examining the issues on which we can support married and unmarried families. We can acknowledge the permutations and combinations in modern Ireland.

I congratulate the Minister for allowing the travel pass to be used in Northern Ireland. A major problem exists for those in isolated non-urban areas. The travel pass is worth very little to them because they are not near a DART or bus station. Could those in isolated areas be allowed to use the travel pass as taxi vouchers instead? They could be given a number of taxi vouchers.

I know of a partially blinded lady with two adult sons with Down's syndrome. She must walk one mile along an extremely dangerous road to catch the bus to use her travel pass. We must examine the use of a taxi voucher system for the travel pass in rural areas. People in towns and cities enjoy greater level of service from the travel pass than those living in rural areas.