Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Minister for Social and Family Affairs Séamus Brennan yesterday jointly attended a special ceremony in Busáras, the central bus station in Dublin, to initiate the unrestricted all-Ireland free travel scheme for senior citizens.
The scheme will allow people aged 66 and over living in the Republic, to travel free on all bus and rail services in Northern Ireland. Likewise, those aged 65 and over from the North will enjoy similar privileges in the Republic.
"We are delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government to introduce all-Ireland free travel for our older people on all parts of the island," Mr Ahern said.
Mr Brennan said: "This scheme heralds the beginning of a new era in all-Ireland travel opportunities for tens of thousands of older people on the island. It is an initiative that will remove all existing restrictions and help to build new understandings and friendships."
Mr Brennan said it was also "a gesture of gratitude" to older people, who had contributed so much to building and shaping the "modern, progressive island we have today".
Beneficiaries who took part in yesterday's ceremony included Dubliners Joan and Richard Blake from Dalkey; Patrick and Mary Smith and Hugh O'Doherty from Clondalkin; Kathleen and Patrick Harman, Michael and Margaret Moran and Richard Sleator, all from Cabra.
