185. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority has undertaken any research or assessment of the impact that the absence of Leap card validators on Galway city bus services has on passenger boarding times, bus dwell times, service reliability and journey times; if such analysis has been completed, the findings of same; if comparable assessments have been carried out in Cork following the introduction of validators there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74957/26]

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport. Authority (NTA) has responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts including provision for installing Leap Card validators on bus services.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.