Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Last year, the Minister stated:

I believe the concept is right. When one compares what is spent by the State on urban transport with rural transport, one finds that the money spent per capita on rural transport is minuscule.

This scheme should be continued with and the timetables arising from this transport scheme, which have provided benefits to many communities, should be examined.

Connectivity and accessibility for all citizens must form part of this plan. The figures for west Cork, with which I am familiar, demonstrate a huge increase in volume from the outset to the present position. In 2002, there were 102 passengers in the first month, which climbed to nearly 40,000 passengers in 2008 and the social impact was enormous. Members also should consider the scheme in County Meath, in which people look forward to weekly visits to their local town for whatever purpose they might have. This scheme has been of benefit and more importantly, it collects people at different points and does not preclude the narrow country boreens, with which many Members are familiar. If one considers the social impact of such interaction, that is, having company, meeting people, the chat, comhrá and banter, as well as fulfilling obligations such as banking, visiting the post office, going to mass or other social interactions, it is important to place rural development in the context of this road transport scheme.

I am concerned about the direction of the Government and its agencies in respect of basic infrastructure and services. I refer to Bus Éireann, the NRA, as well as to Pobal and the Leader programmes, which are under the remit of the Minister's Department. The trend of centralised services must be examined and I revert to the point that we must create sustainable rural communities. Given the cuts in its routes, is Bus Éireann so doing? Is the NRA, which is culling vital road projects, so doing? What is the position regarding the roll-out of broadband? I spoke on the Order of Business regarding job creation for rural Ireland. Members should consider the manner in which agriculture is declining under the Government. Despite the Minister's protestations and eloquent self-defence, the fortunes of rural Ireland have been plummeting. In the renewal of the programme for Government, which probably will take place after the referendum on the Lisbon treaty referendum, the Minister should have a strong rural transport scheme that will take up the vital work that has been done for these seven communities. There should be accessibility and connectivity rather than what would happen were this scheme to be culled, namely, isolation and people being deprived of access to services.