Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise that I had to go out for few minutes. I was obliged to do so because the meeting commenced later than anticipated. I apologise on behalf of my colleagues who are unavoidably absent. It would be better if more members of the committee were present. I am sure all members will read the presentations made in their own time. Those presentations will feed into the committee's report on how we can make public transport more accessible for people with varying levels of ability, be they physical or intellectual issues. That is only right and proper.

Mr. Delaney made a number of points. He was very complimentary of the Minister. We are critical of the NTA and certain other bodies. At the end of the day those bodies are responsible to the Minister. If Mr. Delaney were appointed Minister tomorrow and could implement three things from a legislative perspective, what would he do?

I have a question for Mr. O'Leary from the NBRU. In light of yesterday's re-announcement of BusConnects, does he envisage that it will be beneficial to people with a disability or might that proposal be negative to people with a disability?

Representatives of the NTA will appear before the committee next week to discuss the BusConnects proposal. It would be beneficial to hear from Mr. O'Leary, as the representative of bus drivers working on the ground, as to what he sees as the potential pitfalls and the potential gains.

I compliment Ms Diane Hill on her work. Since its introduction in 2011, how is the JAM card working out? How many cards are in circulation? Does somebody with an issue simply hold the card up to the person behind them on the bus? Is it recognisable in the jurisdiction where it is in operation? The first I heard of the JAM card was when the secretariat circulated Ms Hill's presentation early this week in advance of this meeting.