Mr. Padraic Moran:

That is fine.

Regarding the incident last week, my travel pass was taken back by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Welfare because it is means-tested and linked to the disability allowance and, because I am now over the means test, the system effectively says I have been cured because I got a job, which is ironic. They did not tell me I still have a wheelchair under my backside. It is one of the points I have raised, that perhaps the system needs to be looked at in general because, while I know we are at full employment for most of the population, there is a gap in respect of people with disabilities. Things may be rescinded if they get a job. Fundamentally, how we improve the system to help people gain employment is something else that needs to be looked at. I look at it this way: If I were claiming social welfare and had a medical card, I would cost the State a lot more money. In the grand scheme of things, my travel pass is a minimal expense compared with what it would be if I were in receipt in social welfare. I know the Minister, Deputy Ross, was to write to Irish Rail to seek clarity on the incident. I have not communicated fully with Irish Rail because the Minister was dealing with the matter last week so I am not 100% sure of the outcome or whether he has got a response from Irish Rail. Perhaps the committee will be able to find out that from him later today.