I raise the Local Link 199 bus route. It was approved last year. I was told by the NTA in May last year that it was funded. It went out to tender last summer. The company that won the tender bought a bus and hired four drivers. It was meant to start in September but it has not yet started. I held a public meeting last week on this. This bus is to go from Laragh to Glendalough, Roundwood and Bray. Some 150 people turned up to the meeting. It is a big issue.

My major concern is the lack of transparency and information about why this route has not started. The Tánaiste, whom I was hoping would be here today to answer, has been telling constituents that the firm date for that service should be available this week and that the service is financed. In the past number of days, however, I have received an email from the NTA that states:

We require funding to operate this service. No funding is available. Unfortunately, a precise date for commencement cannot be provided at this time.

They are two very different statements. People – myself included - are frustrated at mixed messaging coming from the Government and the NTA. The communities in Wicklow who rely on the route deserve answers. They deserve clarity and a single message from the Government as to when the service is going to start because they are making life decisions based on that service, such as whether to go to college or where to get a job. They deserve transparency and the truth.

I absolutely know the value of our Local Link services. I see it clearly in my constituency in bringing people of all ages to their destination, be it for education, appointments or just to bring people into their local town to do their grocery shopping. I will raise the issue of the 199 service with the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, and ask him to get a response from the NTA. In good faith, I hope the service goes ahead because Local Link is an absolute gem to rural communities. It is important we prioritise its increased proliferation right across the country.