Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have raised concerns over the last few weeks about how the National Transport Authority, NTA, operates. I raise this on the back of a local issue regarding a bus stop and bus line that was changed in Clontarf Street in Cork city and how it will affect residents, particularly those going to Kinsale. There was no consultation whatsoever with the public or any of the key stakeholders.

I wrote to the NTA to ask its representatives to meet me on 28 October. It wrote back saying no staff were available. Staff resources were an issue. Subsequently, I got details of its staffing. In 2018, the NTA had 97 staff. Today, it has 276 staff, which is an increase of 284%. However, it still does not have the resources to meet public representatives and communities on the ground. It is making these decisions without any consultation. This is an organisation the Minister, Deputy Ryan, funds directly. The Minister has due responsibility regarding how it is funded, and it has no regard for any public representative. It is appropriate now that the Minister should come to this Chamber and explain to us how he believes it is appropriate that an organisation that he funds and that has had an increase in staff of 284% in the last four years cannot meet us because of staffing issues.That is totally inappropriate. The people deserve better than what we have got here. This is another quango set up at arm's length away from us that does what it likes, when it likes, with no regard for anyone. I ask the Leader to put it on the list that we should have the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, in here before Christmas to deal with this issue because there has been no consultation whatsoever and there is no accountability for this organisation.