I want to raise the issue of school transport. Bus operators are finding it next to impossible to recruit drivers. Bus Éireann has a criterion that drivers over 70 years of age cannot drive school buses which is nonsensical. It is an ideal job for a retired person. Those over 70 may drive a tourist bus from Mizen Head to Malin Head, but cannot drive the 5 km or 10 km around their local schools. This needs to be revisited. At the moment certain routes are without buses because operators cannot source drivers. Bus Éireann needs to revisit this. If a person needs to have a medical every six months, so be it, but the age criterion of 70 years of age must be removed.

That issue has been raised on a number of occasions in the House and I have never received a satisfactory explanation as to why that rule exists because private bus operators have drivers aged over 70. I understand that on occasion Bus Éireann will contract private operators with drivers aged over 70. It may be linked to their pension scheme or to an agreement with unions. I do not honestly know, but it definitely should be revisited.