Fine Gael TD for Clare, Joe Cooney, has expressed his concerns about the National Transport Authority's (NTA) proposed changes to the 350 bus route, which will re-route the service outside the rural village of Fanore, Co. Clare.

According to the NTA, the route changes will ensure the reliability and efficiency of the service and take into account local traffic issues.

The proposal includes plans to re-align the service to operate between Lisdoonvarna and Ballyvaughan via the N67, providing a more direct route for passengers.

Deputy Cooney described plans to run a shuttle bus service to take people to Fanore as "totally ridiculous".

“It is isolating Fanore. Our serious concern is that people will stay on the bus, and won’t stop in Fanore," he said.

"There’s a lot of small business and activity in Fanore. We think it would be another attack on a rural village, because we don’t think the shuttle bus will solve the problem.”

The Clare TD told Agriland that a community meeting has taken place in Fanore, and he has taken the local's concerns on board.

"If the 350 service is taken from the village, that will be another setback. We have seen when services have been taken from other rural villages, businesses close down. Something similar will happen here if that service doesn’t continue to Fanore," he said.

The Fine Gael TD said he highlighted the problem to the government, and is hoping it will offer some support.

"It’s hard to know what [the NTA] are trying to achieve. [It reckons], maybe the road network and saving time. Other times you can see where there is change there is sense, but this one I think is totally crazy,“ Cooney concluded.