Mattie McGrath criticises transport rules and accuses cronyism
Mattie McGrath spoke about transport and governance issues, condemning age-based driving bans for over-70s and raising concerns about the Waterford Limerick Line. He accused a minister of cronyism over board appointments and criticised the absence of officials during the debate.
Age-based driving restrictions
McGrath said the current rules discriminate against men and women over 70, noting they are barred from driving buses for school runs while still allowed to drive for other purposes. He suggested more frequent medical checks could address safety concerns rather than outright exclusion.
Waterford Limerick Line and Conmel station
He described the Waterford Limerick Line as "tunneling along and being abandoned" and called the situation disgraceful. McGrath highlighted issues at Conmel station, where he said facilities are locked up and there are no tidal facilities for arriving passengers.
Rural transport fees and regional fairness
McGrath expressed frustration about discrimination against rural transport users, referencing recent fee reductions that he said do not address problems outside Dublin. He emphasised that transport policy should serve rural communities as well as the capital.
Allegations of cronyism in appointments
He accused a minister of appointing a CEO and other board members who were friends and campaigners, suggesting those appointees lacked aptitude. McGrath referenced a book title used by the minister and questioned who the "snouts" were that were put in the truck, calling the appointments a shocking indictment.
Absence of the minister and officials
McGrath opened by saying he was appalled the minister mentioned was not present and surprised that no officials attended. He criticised that decisions appear to be made without accountability while debate participants express their concerns.
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Minister, I'm appalled that Minister Reine isn't here. I'm very surprised that there's no officials here. So it's a case of do what you want and tell what we feel in here. I don't know what he said, but anyway, he said, I have a number of issues that could be here all night, but one is they're about over 70s. The ageism and the discrimination against men and women when they become 70, they cannot drive a bus that does school runs. They can bring people to matches and everything else. Albeit, I don't mind it and they're willing to put in a doctor's set or medical every twice a year if necessary. But this should be changed, definitely, because of discrimination. I also have to mention the Waterford Limerick Line. It's disgraceful the way that's tunneling along and being abandoned. And when people arrive in Conmel station, by bus or by train, locked up, no tidal facilities, nothing else. It's disgraceful to expect public transport to deal with people like that. I also want to talk about the whole situation regarding the discrimination against rural transport users with fees that you reduced recently. It's not all about Dublin. And to move on to Dublin, to mention Dublin here, I want to say, look, Minister Ross is guilty of appointing the CEO and some other members of that board in the past. He wrote a lovely book one time called Snouts in the Truck. I wonder who snouts did he put in the truck? His own friends and campaigners that campaigned for him. And they're obviously unable to do the job. Their aptitude and failure is singularly just aghast. And it'll probably happen again next weekend, because you haven't got people with your understanding and away with all and everything else. So I think his shocking indictment on different ministers and cronyism and nepotism, whatever you want to call it, is disgraceful.
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