Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

If we are to meet our climate targets, we need to make public transport more reliable and useable but, crucially, more affordable. With the cost of living gone up so much, people need to see that it is considerably cheaper to use public transport than to drive, if we want to take cars off the road. The NTA will soon introduce a fairer fares initiative and in a meeting I had with its officials, they said it would look at a per-kilometre cost both inside and outside the zone equally which is most welcome. I rest my case. I have already spoken about the differential between the kilometre-by-kilometre cost. That cost differential is absolutely unacceptable. I acknowledge the significant budgetary supports in budget 2023 such as the maintenance of the 50% reduction in public transport fares for young people, the extension to 15, 17 and 18-year-olds and mature students, and of course the 20% reduction all fares. It is really important we extend the short-hop zone and a medium-hop zone is established. I pay tribute in my closing remarks to the tireless advocacy of Jennifer Caffrey from Newbridge and a group of very dedicated committed commuters who keep the elected representatives in the area on our toes regarding this issue. They have done incredible work. The Minister of State has my full support and that of my party. I hope by the conclusion of this debate she will have the full support of this House. I will now hand over to my colleague, Senator Casey.