More than three hundred people took part in a street protest in Ennis, Co Clare, this afternoon in opposition to a proposal by An Bord Snip Nua to end the Rural Transport Programme.Members and supporters of Clare Accessible Transport (CAT), who were participating in a nationwide day of action against the proposal, claim that any funding cuts would have a detrimental impact on rural communities throughout Clare.
Addressing a crowd in Ennis Town Centre today, Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy underlined the valuable contribution made by CAT to communities across the County. He said: “The McCarthy report advocates the total abolition of the rural transport programme. This recommendation has been made without due consideration being given to the considerable effect that such a cut would have on the lives of many thousands of people. CAT has a network of routes that facilitate people in remote areas who wish to avail of local services. These communities will be denied access to such vital services if CAT is denied funding.”
Mayor Mulcahy noted that helping disabled persons and the elderly retain their independence was only one aspect of rural transport. “It is very much a part of the fabric of the community, enabling community groups, after school projects, family resource centres, and the Health Service Executive to provide access to their programmes. I would appeal to Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Éamon O Cuív to carefully consider this fact before making any decision regarding the Rural Transport Programme”, he concluded.
