Envious Dail colleagues marvel at Kilkenny TD's 'powers' to conjure buses for schoolkids in Gowran

Envious TDs in neighbouring counties have been left marvelling at the apparent ‘powers’ of Kilkenny representative John McGuinness to secure bus transport for local schoolchildren.

Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday, Wexford TD Verona Murphy (Ind) lamented a situation unfolding in her area of Kilmore where 46 children have concessionary tickets but no bus to take them to school in Wexford town.

Deputy Murphy said it was brought to her attention that, apparently three weeks ago, there was a bus put on for the very same situation in Gowran, County Kilkenny, ‘where Deputy McGuinness was informed that he would not be getting a vote from anybody’.

“Basically, a meeting was set up with the Minister and the bus was put on,” said Deputy Murphy.

“There are now three buses taking children from Gowran to Kilkenny. It lasted for a week, and now all the students appear to be catered for on two buses.”

She asked for a similar response for the children of Kilmore.

Her comments were greeted with some amusement by Taoiseach Simon Harris, who suggested Deputy McGuinness could take pride in the attribution to his influence.

“I am sure Deputy McGuinness will be flattered by the Deputy’s belief in his excellent abilities,” he said.

“He is an excellent public representative but we obviously have systems in place with regard to school buses. We have brought forward a very significant reform.”

Meanwhile, speaking about the increased cost of business grant scheme, another Independent TD, Tipperary’s Mattie McGrath, also nodded to the Kilkenny TD’s apparent ability to get things done.

“I have not got the same powers as Deputy McGuinness obviously but I would appeal that the scheme be reopened for another month at least to allow people to qualify,” Deputy McGrath said.