Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 7 February 2018

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport

Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed)

9:30 am

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the accessibility of public transport for people with disabilities. This is the fourth of a series of meetings the joint committee has convened on the issue. We have previously heard from transport users and, more recently, transport operators. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport will attend later.

I welcome Ms Alannah Murray and Mr. Padraic Moran who asked to attend the meeting to relate their personal experiences as public transport users. Mr. Moran is joined by his mother and guide dog to whom I was introduced before the meeting. It is great that they have joined us.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the joint committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite Ms Murray to make her opening statement.

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