On her recent visit to Donegal Independent MEP Marian Harkin met with the owners of the McGonagle Bus company which she has assisted by ensuring that free bus pass passengers could use their services. The Independent MEP had been approached by private bus service providers who had been prevented from accepting free pass holders on their buses. “I took the matter up at European Commission level under anti-competitive regulations and within ten months had secured a positive result for the private bus operators”, she said. This was an example of where once again Irish authorities had not acted in accordance with EU law and it emphasised the right of citizens to pursue redress when they feel that as private citizens or as companies, that the state is not acting properly, she said.

Hugh McGonagle thanked Marian Harkin for her work in securing the right of private bus operators to carry free bus pass holders while his son Philip urged her to continue focus on the rural transport needs necessary to help to maintain the social and economic fabric of rural areas.