Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of bus services and a national policy regarding Bus Éireann and the privatisation of some services.  In some areas, fares are extraordinary.  For example, one can travel from Ballincollig or Carrigaline to Cork city for €1; it is a fantastic service.  The Cathaoirleach knows Skibbereen better than I do.  A return trip from Skibbereen to Cork costs €30.  A return trip from Bantry to Cork costs €30.  A return trip from Dunmanway to Cork costs €24.  A return trip from Clonakilty to Cork costs €20.  It is unsustainable to have such an expensive bus service, especially given our new vision to become carbon friendly and the negative environmental impact of cars on the road.We must address that lack of joined-up thinking. There are several ways we can deal with it. We could talk to Bus Éireann about reducing these extraordinary bus fares, which are beyond belief. I am sure Members are appalled that some people pay €30 for a return ticket every day to go to work. It is unsustainable. We must move to a more proactive approach to ensure there is good, cheap public transport, and not have it only in urban areas while rural Ireland is left behind.

We must either examine the price structure or consider privatising some of these services. We have seen them privatised in Dublin and other locations and that has a major impact on the price. There must be a new vision for the price structure. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to the House to discuss these fares in rural areas and what his vision is for these important issues outside of Dublin, because it is unsustainable at an environmental level and also on the economic level. If people are to survive in rural Ireland we must provide them with cheap and efficient public transport. Cheap does not mean a fare of €30 to travel from Skibbereen to Cork, which is outrageous.