Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I thank my Social Democrats colleague for that comment, which was fully accurate. I will be brief. I have three points or questions. I will have to leave shortly after I make the point to be in the Chamber. The first is on the issue of staffing of stations. I put it to the Minister that one cannot have full accessibility for all without staffing in all stations. I do not see how it can be done.

I do not see how one can have genuine equality of access without staffing in all stations. Rather than moving forward, the experience has been one of moving backwards. Earlier, an example was given in the form of the DART line where, a number of years ago, there were staff in all stations while now they are at just one in four. The cuts need to be reversed as doing so will benefit all passengers, not only those with disabilities.

When we discussed the future of Bus Éireann and bus services at the last meeting, the Minister and his officials made the point that there may be situations in the future where Bus Éireann does not provide a service but the State intervenes to ensure private companies step in. I said I was not happy with such a state of affairs and I am opposed to privatisation. In such a scenario, are the same obligations going to be placed on the private companies to respect people's civil rights, and to take action to make their services fully accessible? What steps will the Minister take to ensure they do this?

A report appeared yesterday about what the National Transport Authority was saying about the viability of routes.