Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We should have a debate about racism and racist language used in the public sphere.

I wish to raise the report on the rural transport programme. We have seen a decline in the number of rural Garda stations. Courthouses are to be rationalised. There have been cutbacks in health services, etc., in rural areas. The latest episode we have heard about involves restructuring proposals for the rural transport programme, details of which have been leaked to the media. Apparently the proposals have been endorsed and recommended by the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Alan Kelly. I am unsure whether this report is true.

I ask the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Kelly, to outline to the House his plans for restructuring rural transport. If the report is to be believed the plans will involve the realignment of programmes under regional authorities, job losses and cuts to services. The report suggests this will lead to better subsidiarity but I find it difficult to understand how that would work in practice. I would like to hear from the Minister of State what exactly he proposes and how he will ensure that rural transport can be maintained and expanded. Services are especially needed at present given that it has become more expensive to travel in rural areas and people are feeling more isolated. A debate on rural transport would be welcome.