The Taoiseach will be familiar with the fact that Local Link bus services have greatly improved mobility and quality of life in many rural communities. However, I ask him to visit east Cork where a Local Link service has not been developed and where the existing bus service is nothing short of an absolute shambles. In villages such as Ballycotton, Cloyne, Aghada and Saleen, residents may as well be living on a remote island when it comes to public transport. Not only that but they face entrenched traffic gridlock around the Lake view roundabout every morning and evening. I am aware the public service obligation for the Department of Transport is chronically underfunded. The Department has excellent officials who want to enhance existing Local Link routes sand develop new ones but they are prevented from doing so by the Department of public expenditure. The public want Local Link in east Cork, the Department of Transport wants it and local operators are keen to provide those services, yet the cold accounting of the Department of public expenditure says "No". That Department is neglecting its duty to the wider economy and society as a whole. This is a Fianna Fáil Ministry. Will the Taoiseach come down to east Cork and see for himself the level of need there?

Sentiment score: 0.12

It is severely neglected.

Sentiment score: -0.75