Govt criticised over lack of rural public transport links
Rural communities "cannot thrive" without adequate public transport, according to Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove.
The Sligo-based senator criticised the government’s record on rural public transport after it was announced that four new or enhanced bus routes have been rolled out during 2026.
The Labour Party spokesperson on Rural and Community Development said: “This government was elected in November 2024 on the understanding that we need to improve public transport availability in rural Ireland.
“More than that, they explicitly singled out our excellent Local Link services, and the need to expand them.”
Senator Cosgrove also highlighted Fine Gael’s manifesto, which promised to boost rural connectivity and increase Local Link services in rural areas.
The senator added that the manifesto title, ‘Moving Forward Together’, was ironic, saying: “They clearly did not have Local Link services in mind, when thinking of a title.”
She also called out comments made by Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin, before the summer recess.
Senator Cosgrove said: "In this debate Minister Harkin said: 'We encourage greater use of public transport'."
The senator acknowledged that this is "clearly not the case in the north-west, where the government have failed to provide the €412 million (or €5.5m per kilometre) to finish the Western Rail Corridor from Claremorris to Collooney".
The senator said that she was "shocked" to read that "only" four new or enhanced services had been rolled-out this year.
She added: "I was even more astounded to learn that at least one of these was a replacement of a withdrawn Bus Éireann route between Waterford and Carlow.”
Community groups
Senator Cosgrove said she had been contacted by community groups from all over Sligo and Leitrim who have submitted detailed plans to Transport for Ireland (TFI), outlining how the introduction of a Local Link service could "literally transform their lives".
She said: “People living in Calry, Newtownmanor, Castletown, and Lugatober have no Local Link service connecting them to Sligo, despite their proximity to the town.
“Even more staggering, is the absence of a real commuter service for the massive populations living in Curry and Tubbercurry and the surrounding district.
“A Local Link service allows many people to live where they are at home, in their own rural communities, and to commute into town for work, study and appointments.”
She added that the region has potential in this region which is not being met.
The Labour Party spokesperson on Rural and Community Development said: “Rural connectivity is far from where it should be.
"Our rural communities can not thrive if we do not provide public transport links between rural areas, settlements, villages and towns.
“Public transport has never been more popular and in demand.
“People want to get out of their cars and onto trains and buses, they want to help save the environment and, with the constant increases in fuel prices caused by unnecessary, imperialist wars of aggression, they need to reduce their dependence on petrol and diesel.”
She added that the government has a responsibility to help people achieve these objectives, but has failed to do so.
The senator said 20 months after the general election, it is "evident" that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and rural independents have "jettisoned their promises on public transport along with those relating to the environment, workers’ rights and housing".
