Madam Speaker, I am informed by the NLTA that 18 bus routes are being operated across Constituency No. 6, Grand Baie and Poudre D’or. This implies that we have scores of bus stopping places, some already provided with bus shelters and obviously, some not yet, otherwise there would not be the question. The provision of bus shelters is a collaborative effort involving the local authority concerned and the Road Development Authority, the National Land Transport Authority, and the Traffic Management and Road Safety Unit of my Ministry. According to information provided by the TMRSU, since 2019, several smart bus shelters have been installed by the latter in Constituency No. 6, namely in – • Grand Baie; • St François; • Pointe aux Cannoniers; • Cap Malheureux; • Poudre D’or. I am further informed that the District Council of Rivière du Rempart has recently installed smart bus shelters at Mapou and L’Esperance Piton. Under the newly signed framework agreement, the TMRSU will install a smart bus shelter near the Vale Government School. As the components of the structure involve specialised units that have to be procured from abroad, works are only expected to be completed by November 2026. Madam Speaker, I wish to reassure the hon. Member that Ministry is actually seeking to respond to all demands with regard to the construction and maintenance of bus shelters across the island. All requests are duly noted and surveys are carried out with appropriate recommendations. I wish to point out that one of the challenges faced by my Ministry is the question of funding. I must underline that funds made available in the yearly budget encompass different types projects geared towards road enhancement and road safety and are used to meet the needs arising from all over the island. Moreover, I wish to highlight that the Ministry has a protocol – I think this is an important part for the hon. Member – on the modernisation of bus shelters. The purpose of this protocol is to introduce comprehensive guidelines for the provision of bus shelters on main roads and motorways. The aim is to facilitate the construction of new bus shelters by interested promoters…

Exactly.

…as well as renovation and maintenance of the existing bus shelters and demolition and replacement of any bus shelter which is in a deplorable state along the main roads and motorways while adhering to the existing legal framework and subject to all clearances being obtained at no cost to the Government. In return, they may use the bus shelters for advertising purposes as per conditions stipulated in the protocol. Upon completion of the said surveys – I go on – and availability of funds, the Ministry is requested to either fund the construction of additional smart bus shelters or seek the participation of private promoters to construct bus shelters strictly as per established protocol. Madam Speaker, I acknowledge that construction of bus shelters in Constituency No. 6, and elsewhere, is a necessary infrastructure for the convenience of passengers. Construction of shelters in any region cannot be undertaken at one go due to budgetary constraints. It is a process which spills over consecutive financial years. However, I wish to reassure the hon. Member that my Ministry will, within available means, consider all requests positively, subject to availability of land and all road safety issues being complied with. As regards Constituency No. 6, the TMRSU and the NLTA will be requested to carry out a survey and establish the priority needs.

Okay, one question, then, Mr Beechook.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In view of several complaints and requests from inhabitants of St. François, Cap Malheureux, Roche Terre, Grand Gaube, Petit Raffray, Vale, Fond du Sac, Vingt Pieds, Péreybère and Grand Baie, will the hon. Minister arrange for a consultative meeting with the representatives of villages in the Constituency Grand Baie- Poudre d’Or, along with relevant stakeholders prior to any action taken?

Short and sweet!

Will do!

Will do, good! Mr Beechook!

Is the hon. Minister aware that whenever, we, MP representatives of constituencies send requests for bus shelters, it turns out to be a hot potato which the RDA throws at the TMRSU, and the TMRSU throws at the RDA? Isn’t it time to set up a specific agency or division that implements the bus shelters for the well-being of the citizens of this country?

Again, short and sweet. Very simple!

If you ask me about a specific department in my Ministry, it is my remit.

No.

But if it is another Ministry, I am afraid this is not of my remit.

But you will think of a good solution!

We will think about it. Madam Speaker, we will remove the ping-pong table.

Yes, remove the ping-pong. He is removing the ping-pong!

The ping-pong table so that there is no…

Very good! Ms J. Bérenger, last question. TOURISM ACT AMENDMENTS – MARINE MAMMALS PROTECTION