Minister of State Robert Troy tweeted this photo of himself using the free public transport on offer in Luxembourg.

Public transport 'should be totally free' says Westmeath Minister

A Junior Minister from Westmeath has argued that the Government should seek to make public transport free to the public in Ireland.

Robert Troy expressed this view on Twitter yesterday (Thursday) evening during a working trip to Luxembourg.

He tweeted that he had taken a light rail journey into the city there and found that all public transport was free.

He said his Government colleague, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan, had "undoubtedly made progress" by reducing fares, but that free public transport was "the route we need to travel" in Ireland.

The comment has been attracting plenty of reaction on social media, with views expressed both supporting and opposing Minister Troy's viewpoint.