The Department of Transport has received a commitment that funding for a proposed night-time bus service for rural pub-goers will not come from its budget.
Pat "The Cope" Gallagher, Minister of State for Transport, said last night that funding for the proposed scheme would come from the Department of Community and Rural Affairs.
Mr Gallagher, who met Minister for Community and Rural Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív to discuss the initiative yesterday, said it was also agreed that areas would be identified for a pilot scheme.
"There will be further meetings with officials in the coming week to identify parameters to establish a pilot scheme," he told The Irish Times. Asked if the scheme will be in place before the general election, he said: "This is not an election issue."
Last week, Mr Ó Cuív said plans for a free and subsidised transport service to bring people to and from pubs would be finalised before the general election.