Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have great sympathy for our colleague, Senator Brennan. It appeared this project would go ahead but whatever has happened, there is a need for intense discussions North and South, and even east-west on it. I suggest the Senator use his good offices to talk to his colleagues in Government who are members of the British Irish Council and suggest that this matter should be raised at that level because this was a unique opportunity to bring two communities together.

I have great sympathy with his plight regarding the most recent announcement.

Will the Leader consider bringing to the House the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Alan Kelly, to discuss rural transport? The media have reported on the initiative he launched yesterday whereby he intends to cut back the overall budget. It has been cloaked over with that wonderful term "reform" which is used from time to time when Governments wish to justify their actions. I have no doubt whatsoever there is a need to reform and review the rural transport scheme, which was first initiated in 2004, but successive Governments have cut back on the budget and it is inevitable any cutback will result in a reduction in services. I welcome the suggestion the rural transport scheme will come within the ambit of local authorities and that local authority members will have direct input into it. They input indirectly through their membership of various partnership boards throughout the country. I was a member of the partnership board during my time as a local authority member and I was very much involved, and have continued to take a great interest, in rural transport because it affects counties such as Leitrim with dispersed populations. It is important that Members of the House have an opportunity to quiz the Minister of State and put forward their views on how this excellent scheme should be protected. Such is its importance that today's newspapers have editorials on it.