Monaghan councillors are calling for government support for local private coach and bus operators.
With the collapse of tourist numbers, as well as the closing of schools,factories, and offices the sector has been hit hard.
In recent weeks the chair of the Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland, John Halpenny, wrote to the council outlining the supports the private coach and bus sector would need given the reduced income they will receive this year.
He explained the vital need for financial support from the government in the form of the continuation of the wage subsidy scheme, as well as funding to help with the installation of equipment required for social distancing.
Sinn Fein's Pat Treanor stated that given the number of companies in operation in the county and the employment they provide the council should support this call from the CTTC, emphasising that help was needed from the new Minister for Transport.
Another key concern for the group was the inability for Southern operators to claim VAT back on what they spend, while their Northern counterparts can, giving them an unfair advantage.
Fianna Fail councillor PJ O'Hanlon said that this was a particular issue for this region given its proximity to the border and the potential consequences of Brexit and called on the government to address this anomaly.
