Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I agree with all those who spoke about the lack of rural transport. I am very concerned that we would cut back on rural transport. I feel very strongly that we must do something to activate community life. When people are trying to get planning permission to build a house on their farm it is refused and now rural transport is being cut back. There will be no rural life in this country and I am very concerned about that. A debate on the matter is necessary. I want to see more vibrant communities and life back in the country. I do not want one way of life based in cities and urbanised areas. I love the rural way of life. It is the way we should be. There is currently no balance and there will now be cutbacks in rural transport.

I would also welcome a debate on Church and State management and ownership of education. I have no fixed ideas about it, but a choice regarding education must always be available. It would be very welcome and this would be the best Chamber to have such a debate. I am constantly advocating that we have such debates in the Chamber because they help to open up thinking. Once again we have an opportunity to debate a very serious matter, that is, the education of our young people.

Rural transport must come on the agenda very quickly to make sure we re-activate community life in all forms. I would like such a debate before we break for the summer.