Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the first instance, I thank my friend and colleague, Senator Grace O'Sullivan, for facilitating me as I have a diary clash. I welcome the Minister to the House. It is important that we would discuss transport on a regular basis in the House. I agree with many of the sentiments expressed by Senator Humphreys, particularly in terms of Irish Rail. Irish Rail gets kicked around quite a bit, unjustifiably in many cases, but its commitment both to emissions reductions and improved customer service is commendable. We had an interesting briefing session with the company in Buswells Hotel on Tuesday. The newly appointed chief executive, Mr. Jim Meade, and his senior management team were in attendance and they were very open in dealing with concerns, whether local, regional or national. Their open door policy is something that should be emulated by other companies, semi-State and otherwise.

I use public transport all the time. Given I am probably the only Member who cannot drive, I understand more than anybody the importance of good quality public transport. It is appropriate that we acknowledge the contribution made by some private operators, in particular private bus companies. For example, when I started in the House, the latest opportunity to get back to Ennis at night was the 6 o'clock train. Now, people can travel back to Ennis on an hourly basis until midnight thanks to John O'Sullivan's Dublin Coach green bus, which has revolutionised the opportunity for people to commute to various parts of the country, particularly Ennis and County Clare. I commend him and his team on the work they do.

One issue I want to raise with the Minister, about which I spoke to him briefly on Tuesday, is the situation with the Clare Bus company, which up to now has been providing the Local Link service in Clare. Unfortunately, for some reason, it does not seem to have been successful in tendering for the latest round of this project. It has been acknowledged by many, including the NTA, that the Clare Bus company is a model of how to provide local link services for vulnerable people, in particular people with disabilities, older people and so on. I am baffled, to say the least, as to why its contract has not been renewed.

Tendering is important and when we are spending public money, we should know where it is going and how it is being spent to ensure we get best value. However, we need to also get best value in terms of quality service, local knowledge and keeping jobs in rural communities, which are also important. I respectfully suggest that perhaps that has not been taken into consideration by the NTA when awarding this particular contract.

While I have the greatest respect for our neighbours in Limerick, I wonder whether they would have the required expertise, not through any fault of their own, but they do not have the local knowledge of the client base that the Clare Bus company has. I worry whether they have the connectivity with the people on the ground that the Clare Bus Company has. I am baffled and I do not know why the company was not awarded this contract. It does not make sense and it does not add up. There is something missing somewhere. I would appreciate it very much if the Minister could give me feedback as to how this situation can be resolved. Many people in County Clare are upset by this decision, including myself. Answers and clarity are needed.

To be frank, the decision needs to be reversed. While the Minister will tell me the NTA is independent and should be allowed to do its work independently of Government, which is correct to a degree, the social responsibility falls on Government. The HSE and other organisations are seen as independent, and perhaps that is a conversation for another day, as I would like to see a situation where Ministers have a lot more influence over those types of operations. When something does not make sense and does not add up, there is nothing wrong with a Minister telling the NTA that is the case. He should at least get feedback and an explanation of how it happened and, more important, how it can be reversed.

In conclusion, as somebody who uses public transport all the time, I commend the men and women who run and work in our public transport companies, including Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, and private bus companies. The social responsibility they take upon themselves in helping vulnerable people is commendable. They are heroes on the roads and they are not acknowledged often enough for the work they do on a daily basis in keeping this country, this nation and our citizens connected.