lack of a decent transport system in rural Ireland has been criticised by Irish Farmers' Association president Pádraig Walshe.
He said this was causing a major problems and called for a system which would facilitate people going to a function, having a few drinks and coming home in comfort.
However, at his organisation's agm in Dublin, the Laois-based IFA president said he saw no justification for relaxing the rules on drink-driving, as had been suggested in some quarters.
While there was a distinct lack of public transport in rural Ireland, billions were being spent on public transport initiatives in urban areas. "I think a small fraction of that amount of money would put decent public transport systems in place in rural areas, not just at night time but during the day as well."
Mr Walshe was speaking after Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív indicated that the Government would introduce measures before the general election to counter the demise of rural pubs.
Irish Rural Link, the national group campaigning for sustainable rural communities, welcomed Mr Ó Cuív's announcement that he was to consider extending the hours of operation of rural transport services, operating under the rural transport initiative.
Chief executive Séamus Boland said this would allow "those living in isolated rural areas to travel safely to and from local pubs".
Irish Rural Link had been recommending this for many years.
"However, we shouldn't let the debate around drink-driving dominate our thinking on rural public transport. While those living in rural areas do need to be provided with transport to and from pubs at night, many also need to be provided with public transport to access vital community and public services throughout the day."
Mr Boland added: "It is hugely important that these rural transport services are made available throughout rural Ireland, their frequency is increased and that their hours of operation are extended."
He said projects already set up under the transport initiative had had a huge impact on their communities, "particularly for the less well off and the most vulnerable".