Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have a question on public transport and the National Transport Authority. There is an ongoing issue with bus transport in County Meath. Over the past year, the NTA and Bus Éireann have been carrying out a review of bus services in the county. About a year ago, people were invited to make submissions. We did that and there were fears about one or two services. Gradually through leaks and e-mails from Bus Éireann, we have been finding out about extremely substantial changes to bus services in County Meath, which I presume have been organised jointly by Bus Éireann and the NTA. The difficulty is that we really do not know what is happening. It looks like a cut to services for many areas in the county, including Duleek, Kilmoon, Ratoath, Batterstown and Kells. There was a significant difference between the indication at the initial consultation seeking people's views on improving services and the proposals being leaked.

I know we are discussing a Bill but it relates to public transport. I appeal to the Minister to use his good offices to grab these organisations by the scruff of the neck and at least let the people know what is going on. If there is to be public consultation, which is a good idea when changing public transport services, the public should know what is proposed so that they can be consulted properly. The fear is that many of these cuts are being left until after the general election - there is no definite date as to when they will be implemented. There is no definite information about what exactly is being proposed. There is considerable fear and concern in the community. The Minister is in a good position to get these bodies that come under his remit, albeit not under his direct control, to serve the public and let the public know what is going on.