The DART & LUAS infrastructures is already in place, so using it for other activities isn’t really so much of an extra cost, they might even gain extra revenue out of it.

But I do see your point, that there needs to equality between the amount of development of services in cities and in rural areas. If not the population in rural Ireland will decline even more.

I just think it’s wrong that the government has come out and said that we will organise a lift for you to the pub so that you can get pissed. What did these people do before ?

It is true that some service should be provided. I’m just trying to think of another way… but failing.

As you point out, the Nite Link aids people getting home when there are no taxis, which is exactly what the rural service is intended to do.

During the day, Luas, Dart, Arrow etc certainly transport people to work. Interestingly, however, nobody has suggested a similarly subsidised service for rural areas, or even for any urban area besides Dublin.

Are transport subsidies only to be spent in Dublin? That seems unfair in view of the fact that they are paid by all Irish taxpayers, two-thirds of whom don’t live in Dublin.

As for the NiteLink service, is aids getting people home when there are not available taxis. None of these services will collect you from your door and bring you to the local pub, and after you’ve had your 40 pints, will bring you back right to your door.