Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

In welcoming the Minister, I stress the commonality, in that I agree with him that the pilot scheme has been successful. Good initiatives have been taken and I will not argue that point with the Minister. I will begin with a quotation from a study from July 2000 by Farrell Grant Sparks, Rural Transport: A National Study from a Community Perspective:

Inadequate transport has a particularly adverse impact on those who are disadvantaged in any way and on those in society who are most vulnerable. The impacts appear more marked in rural areas, where even basic services can prove difficult to access.

While the structures of rural Ireland undoubtedly have changed, this still is a predominantly rural country. Many people have a quaint notion of living in Ireland that is associated with fresh air, accessibility to the coast, farming and a great lifestyle. However, this is linked to falls in the size of the average household, increases in the age profile and there has been a profound impact on many older residents. The Minister is correct to note the rural transport scheme is about both the old and the young and does not simply pertain to the elderly. The scheme that operated in west Cork was of benefit by bringing people to bingo, mass, youth clubs, social events and even to the pub. It is important to stress this scheme was not merely a conduit for bringing people out for a drink or anything similar and to pay tribute, as did the Minister, to those who organised the schemes. While this was a pilot scheme, such a scheme must have a replacement or follow-on, rather than face termination. Rural Ireland has suffered the elimination of many key services over the past ten years. Many post offices and banks have moved out of rural Ireland and these statements in the House today are taking place because many people on the Government benches raised this issue last week.

The seven schemes operated well, did the job properly and offered a lifeline for people. The cost factor may be offset by the economic benefits and one also can refer to the carbon footprint and so on. However, the role of the Government must be to promote and continue the policies that can bolster effectively life in rural Ireland, which requires rural transport initiatives by night. I lay stress on the night-time scheme because the day-time scheme is to continue.