This week, I went to Clonshaugh in Dublin to see what was supposed to be the 199 bus, which was meant to go from Glendalough through Roundwood to Bray. The 199 service was announced in April 2025. In May, I was told by the NTA that it was fully funded. In June, it went out for tender and in August, Nolan Coaches won that tender. It bought a bus and hired four drivers for that service. It was meant to start in September. September came and went - no bus. January came and went - no bus. March came and went - no bus. The Tánaiste can see where I am going here. There is no 199 bus, certainly none that is operating on that route. The funding would appear to have been pulled from this bus service.

Many people are making very big life decisions on the basis that they need that service, whether it is to go to college or work. They need to know when this bus is going to be up and running. Will the Tánaiste ensure the funding will be there? It needs to happen immediately. This has gone on way too long, with no answers from the NTA. The Tánaiste spoke earlier about how agencies should be responsive. I, and the community in Roundwood, have had very little information from the NTA. Could the Tánaiste please give an update on that?

I thank Deputy Whitmore for raising the issue. I have heard the annoyance, to put it mildly, of our constituents regarding this issue. On foot of the Deputy raising it today, perhaps we could convene all the Wicklow TDs with the Department and the NTA to try to get some facts on this. I will certainly play any supportive role I can, and I will link in with the Deputy's office to set that up.