119 bus service to Wicklow
Deputy Whitmore said the promised 119 bus from Glendalough to Bray still had not started and that the NTA was now saying no money was available. The Tánaiste backed her campaign, criticised the agencies, and said the service had been promised within a timeline that was not being met.
I am trying my absolute best to find out what has happened to the 119 bus service from Glendalough, through Roundwood to Bray. It was meant to start last September, as the Tánaiste is aware. One month ago his office told constituents that the service was financed, sanctioned and overdue and that it would come into operation very soon and that there should be a firm date in the next week. That was a month ago. As recently as yesterday I had confirmation from the National Transport Authority, NTA, that there is no money for that service and that is why it has not begun. The Minister for Transport told me a couple of weeks ago that he hoped it would start early in 2027. It was meant to start last September. Similar bus routes in Ennis and Mullingar did start when they were meant to start. I am not sure why the 119 has not started. Is there funding for this service? If there is not, could the Tánaiste ensure that funding is provided? I think it would cost approximately €80,000 to get that really vital service up and running from this coming September until when the longer term funding comes into place.
Comment on this
I genuinely thank Deputy Whitmore for her work on this. I know her work to get this bus service up and running is sincere. I very much support it. This is where State agencies have to stop with the codology. Deputy Whitmore and I did not make up that this bus was coming to Wicklow. This information flowed from the NTA. She is right that certain bus routes have started and certain other ones have not. I watched back some of the NTA's contribution in response to the Deputy. Deputy Whitmore and I, as a Wicklow TD, were given assurances that this bus service was to be delivered within the timeline. I expect State agencies to keep to the commitments they give and not to go into Oireachtas committees with measly words and try to suggest that somehow the idea just dropped from the sky. It came from the NTA. I am very happy to meet the NTA with Deputy Whitmore in relation to this and to try to get this bus service up and running as quickly as possible.