“Bus cancellations is another kick in the teeth for Meath Commuters”

“Bus cancellations is another kick in the teeth for Meath Commuters” - Tóibín

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has condemned the cancellations of the NX , the 101, the 103 and the 109 bus services from Navan to Dublin on Thursday and Friday last.

Speaking today, Peadar Tóibín said “The cancellations of these buses are all too familiar and too regular for Meath commuters. It’s a serious imposition on them. A cancelled bus leaves people late for work and to appointments. When this happens regularly it can put jobs and health treatments in jeopardy. It can also leave people stranded for hours. Its another assault on public transport in Meath which has been a constant over the past few months. Despite the Meath population growing by 12.9% in the last six years, despite Meath having a largest commuting population in the country and Meath commuters commuting further than any other county this government has failed to provide dependable transport infrastructure for the people of Meath”.

Deputy Tóibín continued “We’ve seen the government implement ambitious plans for infrastructure for Dublin, such as the MetroLine. But at the same time, for less ambitious projects like the Navan to Dublin Rail Line. This line has been promised for decades and our population now makes it a necessity yet this government are completely unclear about when it will be delivered. Given the population increase experienced by the county in recent years we need a concrete commitment and ring fenced funding”.

“The cancellation of the bus services is another kick in the teeth for Meath commuters to Dublin. Between this, the four tolls and the extortionate tax on fuel, the government is forcing tens of thousands of Meath workers to spend hours commuting to work and paying a fortune to do so” concluded Deputy Tóibín.

CRÍOCH

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.