Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. I wish to raise the matter of a fantastic email I got from a local group in my own hometown of Gort. Four campaigners, namely, Pat Flaherty, Ryan Smyth, Thomas Nash and Anne Mahon, facilitated by their supporting staff officer, Carol Arcos, call themselves the Gort Advocacy Corlann. They contacted me asking for my support in calling for the removal of online booking and seat reservation fees for free travel pass holders using Bus Éireann services. They mentioned that although many people are entitled to free travel, they are still being charged additional fees when booking seats online, particularly on busy or long-distance routes. For older people, passengers with disabilities, and those travelling for medical appointments or essential journeys, these charges are unnecessary financial accessibility barriers. The campaign is calling for Bus Éireann and the Government to remove all online booking and and seat reservation fees for free travel pass holders and to ensure free travel is genuinely free on all services.

It is also calling on the Government to make sure that everyone, including people who do not use computers, smartphones or online bookings, can use the service easily. This practical and achievable change would improve fairness, accessibility and dignity for many people who rely on public transport every day.

I call on the Bus Éireann CEO and the Minister for Transport to read carefully the email they will receive from the Gort Advocacy Corlann, to pay heed to it and to implement what these people are requesting.