Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)

I congratulate St. Naul's pipe band, which celebrated 80 years in Inver last Saturday. It was a very good occasion and something I will remember for a long time. I also congratulate St. Naul's school in Keeloges, which won the biodiversity school of the year. I am proud to announce we beat Mayo, with Senator Duffy in front of me. Well done to the Donegal team.

I am standing here to highlight the growing demand for TFI Local Link bus services, particularly in local villages like Ardara and Glenties in County Donegal. The current plan expires this year and I hope a new action plan will include an improved service for Glenties and Ardara. Usage of the service has reached record levels, with over 100,000 journeys made weekly throughout rural Ireland. This demonstrates how essential the service is for connectivity in rural communities. Ardara has two departures each day. They are scheduled before noon. It would be immensely beneficial for residents of Ardara and Portnoo if the Local Link would run three or four times per day between Ardara, Portnoo and Glenties and hook up with the Donegal line. Such an enhancement would provide greater accessibility for the community and allow more residents to travel. The Local Link service has been beneficial for rural communities' accessibility, reduced social isolation and enhanced residents' mobility. The service is a lifeline for those in areas where limited public transport is available.

With the review coming up, I hope we will enhance services for these local towns that were left behind. It is vital for rural Donegal. Other towns have four or five departures per day and it works really well.