Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

This morning the chaos for 60,000 bus commuters in Dublin continues. I ask the Leader to bring the concern of the House on the matter to the attention of the Minister for Transport. The Government indecision on transport issues in Dublin has a very corrosive effect on the workers. I refer to the indecision regarding the regulation of the market, combining public and private transport, and the indecision that has led to bus lanes in certain areas without buses for months on end because of a disagreement between the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil in the run-up to the general election. I am sure everybody shares my concern about so many commuters being left on the streets without buses for yet another day. The interests of the commuters are certainly not to the fore. I note that the SIPTU vote on the matter was decided by a majority of 51% to 49%. One must question what is happening within the trade unions in Dublin Bus. Many hard-working employees of Dublin Bus want to give a service to the public. Government policy indecision has a corrosive effect. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Transport to address the House on yet another transport issue causing major difficulties for the consumer.

Many Members across the House attended the launch of the carers' pre-budget submission yesterday. We were given the disturbing statistic that 5,400 young people aged between 15 and 19 provide unpaid care in the home. In other countries with such young unpaid carers looking after family members new support systems have evolved. While these young people participate in such a loving way, it is a major burden for them. It reflects on the lack of support systems. It is yet another failure of public policy and highlights the lack of emphasis on public services in the past ten years. We need public services to support these families. Some 1,000 of these young people give more than 15 hours per week to caring. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs has not debated the issue of carers in the House. We would like to discuss the matter and seek improvements in the area.