Niall Ó Brolcháin (Green Party)

I ask the Leader for a debate on public transport in rural areas. I have been made aware of the great difficulties getting around rural areas. It has been brought to my attention that there are many instances of bus companies in particular that would like to provide rural transport but have major difficulties with licensing. There is a centralised licensing authority. I am aware that there are difficulties in many parts of the country. In this time of difficult employment it is important that we allow as much employment as possible in all parts of the country. The Minister for Transport should be invited to the House to discuss the provision of better public transport in rural areas. There are many parts of the country where it is simply not possible to get adequate public transport, which we need to improve.