Vol. 263 Wednesday, No. 12 13 February 2019 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES SEANAD ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Insert Date Here 13/02/2019A00100Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 687 13/02/2019A00300Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 688 13/02/2019A00400Bus Services � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 688 13/02/2019B00700Road Projects Status � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 690 13/02/2019C00400Primary Care Centres Provision � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 692 13/02/2019D01000Insurance Costs � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 694 13/02/2019G00100An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 697 13/02/2019O00100Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2018: Second Stage� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 709 13/02/2019CC00100Death of Shane O’Farrell: Motion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 716 13/02/2019MM00100Loneliness Task Force Report: Statements � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 728 13/02/2019TT00400Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018: Second Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 744 SEANAD ÉIREANN Dé Céadaoin, 13 Feabhra 2019 Wednesday, 13 February 2019 Chuaigh an Leas-Chathaoirleach i gceannas ar 10.30 a.m. Machnamh agus Paidir. Reflection and Prayer. 13/02/2019A00100Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad 13/02/2019A00200An Leas-Chathaoirleach: I have received notice from Senator Maria Byrne that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter: The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to consider implementing a BusConnects plan for public transport in Limerick city� I have also received notice from Senator Maura Hopkins of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the N5 - Ballaghaderreen to Scramogue - project. I have also received notice from Senator Rose Conway-Walsh of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Health to provide an update on the proposed primary care centre in Bangor Erris, County Mayo. I have also received notice from Senator Robbie Gallagher of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on the measures being taken to address insurance costs in the motor and business sectors� I have also received notice from Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Finance to undertake a review of the criteria surrounding eligibility for a primary medical certificate. I have also received notice from Senator Neale Richmond of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to provide an update on the planned baby box scheme� 687 Seanad Éireann I have also received notice from Senator Michelle Mulherin of the following matter: The need for the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation to make a statement on the efforts of IDA Ireland to deliver foreign direct investment and jobs to north and east Mayo, including the construction of an advance technology building in Ballina. The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion� I have selected the matters raised by Senators Byrne, Hopkins, Conway-Walsh and Gallagher and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters they wish to raise. 13/02/2019A00300Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters 13/02/2019A00400Bus Services 13/02/2019A00500Senator Maria Byrne: I raise the issue of bus services in Limerick which have been an ongoing problem for quite a while. The main issue is with the very busy 304 and 304A bus routes which start in Raheen-Dooradoyle on one side of the city and extend through it as far as the University of Limerick. For the past six months or more buses have been running between ten and 25 minutes late each morning. I have spoken to people who use services on the routes and two weeks ago took the option to travel on a bus with one of them. It was quite an experi- ence. The bus arrived 27 minutes late. It was a single-decker, although normally it is a double- decker, and not suitable, given the number of passengers who use it. At one of the stops in the city there were around 70 people waiting to get on but only half of them were able to do so. One woman said she would be 20 minutes late for work� The bus does not travel as far out as Mungret which is on the outskirts of the city and expanding. When we eventually reached the University of Limerick, the final stop on the route, the journey had taken one hour. A number of the passengers were late for college or work. There are several high technology companies in the area and many people who live on one side of the city and work on the other are constantly late for work� I spoke to two students at the bus stop who were afraid that they would not be allowed on the bus. When people complain, they are given a form to fill in, but I do not know where the forms go as no solutions seem to emerge. People have complained and demanded that something be done but to no avail. I am calling on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to roll something out similar to the BusConnects scheme in Dublin. Limerick is the third largest city in the country but bus services cannot arrive on time. A private bus service which I will not name can bring people from Ennis and Bunratty to the University of Limerick faster than the bus service can bring people from Raheen and Dooradoyle to the university. That is not acceptable. It is frustrating for the commuters who use the service and get no replies to their complaints� I call on the council, Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority to work together to resolve the issue. Smaller buses and better routes have been mentioned, but that will not happen for a couple of years. I am concerned with what is happening now. People’s examinations are coming up. In addition to the problems I have outlined, the real time app does not always give the cor- rect arrival times of bus services. At the bus stop where I got on, on Barrington Street, there was not even a sign. Tourists do not know it is where the bus stops because there is only a mark 688 13 February 2019 on the road to indicate it. I would love the Minister to intervene to resolve this ongoing issue. A couple of hundred people use the service daily. The other morning about 30 people were left behind at one of the stops. Two buses were working the route but one stopped, presumably to allow the driver to take his or her break as he or she is entitled to do� Unfortunately, however, the second bus could not facilitate the number of people waiting at the bus stop. I have given an overview of some of the issues� 13/02/2019B00200Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): I thank the Senator for raising these issues, which I know are very important in the Limerick area. I should point out that she called on the council and the National Transport Authority to remedy this matter in whatever way they can. She will appreciate that I cannot micromanage the routes about which she spoke because I am in charge of policy. However, I would be delighted to relay what she said to both those bodies if she thinks it would be useful and effective. As the Senator is aware, my priority and that of the Government, over the next few years, is to rapidly increase investment in public and sustainable transport infrastructure and services across the country, including the Limerick metropolitan area to which the Senator referred. We will do this in an integrated and planned manner. That integration is clearly visible as we look across the key policy frameworks and their ambition for Limerick� The national planning framework states that the provision of a city-wide public transport network, with enhanced accessibility from the city centre to the National Technology Park, the University of Limerick and Shannon Airport is a key growth enabler. It also states that the development of a strategic cycling network is another key growth enabler for the city. That recognition follows through to the commitments found in national strategic outcome No. 5, sus- tainable mobility, which commit towards expanding public transport generally and developing cycling networks in our major cities. As the Senator knows, the commitments made in the national planning framework are backed by the indicative allocations provided in the national development plan, which is a ten- year strategy for Exchequer investment. I am delighted to say that the indicative allocations in the national development plan include €8.6 billion to realise national strategic outcome No. 5, sustainable mobility. In realising that national strategic outcome, the Senator can be assured that investment will be provided towards