Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today I want to raise the ongoing issues concerning Bus Éireann. Yesterday afternoon, the talks between the unions and company at the Workplace Relations Commission broke down. Imminent strike action is now a possibility. This results in great uncertainty for those who rely on Bus Éireann services, particularly those rural Expressway services that are under threat at present. One of these services, the Athlone–Westport service, services many towns, villages and facilities in Roscommon, such as Kiltoom, Knockcroghery, Ballymurray, Roscommon hospital, Roscommon town, Ballymoe, Castlerea and, in the west of the county, Ballinlough.

The uncertainty is of serious concern for those who rely on the service as their primary means of transport. The service connects to local services and helps people to reach their destination of choice. Many of the journeys made are to access critical health care and other essential services. As Fine Gael spokesperson in the Seanad on regional and rural development, I am really frustrated. We need to ensure we have a fair service in rural areas. It is not good enough that the people who use the services are being told these routes could potentially be closed and that the services could be cut. The Athlone–Westport service is very necessary for the people who rely on it. We need answers. We need the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, to address the Seanad to outline clearly the steps he and his Department are taking to ensure the services are protected in rural areas. I am aware that the Athlone–Westport train services many of the larger towns along the route in question but the bus services small towns and villages where the train does not stop. It is vital to the people in these areas. Moving between larger towns and smaller ones, such as Ballymoe and Ballinlough, will be extremely difficult if the service is axed.

We absolutely need a new roadmap for public service obligation routes across the country. The National Transport Authority has said that if any service is cut, it will ensure no rural area is left behind. What does this mean? Is it now possible to make the route in question a public service obligation route due to the necessary stops and connections it makes? We need leadership from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, on this issue. We also need leadership from the National Transport Authority to ensure that these services are protected and that rural areas will be serviced properly.