Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)

I do not doubt it. I can imagine in my own area that man would be on the one run for a week. I have met the people in Woodlawn and will raise the highlighted issue. I understand exactly where they are coming from. There is an issue relating to timetabling and I will revert on the issue. Changing a timetable takes some time and there is a domino effect with consequences along the line.

When we speak about the future of rural transport, I ask that Senators consider it not in the context of what existed but where we must go in the future. I hope there will be a good amount of funding to supply services and the House will work towards providing an integrated transport policy for this country. That will require a change in thinking and how we use school and health service transport. It will also require the help of voluntary groups, Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, taxis and hackneys in rural areas. The programme will provide services where there is a requirement. It will provide the cement to bring together many services, although one size will not fit all. There will be administration costs and some interconnectivity with local authorities in order that we can have proper planning. Transport hubs will be based in rural areas so people can enjoy public transport with better knowledge.

That is the future of rural transport. It is greater than the rural transport programme, although I am supportive of that initiative. This is about a different vision and achieving more with less administration and greater integration. That is where I hope to go. Much work has been done but I appreciate the Senators' comments. I will take all of them on board and hope the Senators will support my plans and that of the Government in providing better services for rural Ireland.