Ó Cuív proposes evening rural bus scheme
Tuesday, 9 January 2007 22:22
The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has proposed that an existing rural transport scheme could be extended in the evenings to help isolated people to socialise.
The proposal comes amid concerns about the negative impact of drink driving laws and random breath testing on social life and pubs in rural areas.
The Vintners Federation of Ireland has welcomed the move.
Éamon Ó Cuív said the Department Transport was already in the process of making the rural transport initiative - which provides daytime minibus transport - a permanent nationwide scheme.
He said it could be extended further in the evenings for a modest sum of money.
He denied the plan was designed to encourage drinking.
Mr Ó Cuív told TG4 last night that while the decision rests with the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, the Government would introduce provisions before the General Election.
Many publicans in rural areas have indicated that their livelihoods are under threat because of inadequate alternative transport provisions for customers in the wake of the introduction of random breath-testing.
Mr Ó Cuív told TG4 last night that the Government has been studying the issue of transport to and from rural pubs in this context.
The Chairman of the Road Safety Authority has said he has complete sympathy with the plight of rural drinkers in very remote areas, but that people need to come to terms with stricter drink-driving laws.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio, Gay Byrne said people needed to amend their ways of life.
- News At One: Éamon Ó Cuív, TD, Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, says that with increased fears in rural Ireland about the impact of random breath testing, people feel they can no longer go to their local pubs
- News At One: Eileen Scully, who has closed her licensed premises in Co Sligo, says her turnover had halved as people stayed away in fear of getting caught driving under the influence of alcohol
- Morning Ireland: Michael Lowry TD & Gay Byrne, Chairman of the Road Safety Authority, debate the social implications of recent changes in the law
- Morning Ireland: Helen Donohue reports on the impact of random breath testing on social life in rural pubs
- Nine News: Eileen Magnier, North-West Correspondent, reports publicans' reaction to the Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs' proposal for evening buses under the Rural Transport Scheme
- Six One News: Eileen Magnier, North-West Correspondent, reports that the scheme could allow drinkers be brought to and from isolated pubs
- One News: Watch the video
