Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

With regard to the bus service, I recently had the opportunity to visit the offices of the rural link bus. It is 100% correct that connectivity or having the bus service makes a difference to people's lives. It is absolutely brilliant. Any investment like that is, of course, extremely welcome. However, to clarify, the point I was making was about the Minister, who, in his infinite wisdom, sent electric buses with no safety belts down to Dingle. They were not equipped to operate in a rural area. To prove the point, they had to be brought back up to Dublin, where they were stored for seven months without moving one inch or mile. The whole thing had to be looked at again. Eventually, buses that were fit for purpose were sent down to Dingle. I warmly welcome the arrival of the correct buses, but the point was that I had to raise the matter in the Dáil at the time in question to highlight the wrong, stupid decision taken to send buses down to Dingle, at an enormous cost to the taxpayer. They were left idle for over half a year without being used for one day. They were stored in a yard up here. I highlighted that in the Dáil. The Minister drew this out of me again. I am sorry for taking up time, because we should not even be discussing this now. However, when you are taunted about something, you have to clarify the point. I welcome the bus services we now have in Kerry. They are very important. Seeing as the matter has been raised, I wish to compliment the people I met who organised the rural link bus in Kerry. I thank them for the excellent work they do and thank the drivers who drive the buses and provide an excellent and timely service.

See this speech in context