Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to be associated with the comments about the late John Connor. I met him on numerous occasions at party events and I knew him by reputation. I also met him during Seanad campaigns. He is a man who was well regarded and well spoken. As others have said he was an orator of distinction. My sympathies and condolences to all of his extended family.

I have raised in the past issues regarding the school transport system. A review into the working of the school transport system is under way and it should be nearing completion. The Minister, Deputy Foley, has stated it is her intention to bring it to the Cabinet as soon as she receives it. I assume we will have an opportunity to have a debate in the House when that happens. The school transport system does great work and most pupils are brought to school every day without problems. In Galway issues have arisen on a number of school routes which got a bus and driver but the contract has not been fulfilled since last October. There is one route in particular from my area of Tullokyne to St. Paul's Secondary School in Oughterard that has not been operational since 17 or 18 October. It has left parents and children high and dry. It is causing great frustration.

While it is a local issue there are solutions, and I have raised them previously, with regard to the driver retirement age and drivers who are aged over 70 who are fit and able to drive. They can bring children to sports events but cannot bring the same children on the school run. I certainly hope this solution will be covered in the review the Minister has asked for. It would be an obvious solution. It would free up a number of drivers for the school system for next year. There needs to be a better approach in Bus Éireann to ensure parents and children are not left high and dry for up to three months. It is not good enough. While there may be issues between contractors and Bus Éireann, at the end of the day it is Bus Éireann's responsibility on behalf of the Department of Education to ensure children who have a valid ticket and who have paid their fare are brought to school.