Mr. Ciarán Delaney:

I will send the clerk to the committee a link to an 85-second YouTube video by the National Autistic Society in London for circulation to members. I ask members to listen to it via headphones on full volume. This will give them a flavour of what it is like for me and other members of the autistic community to survive everyday life. I am regularly seen out and about wearing headphones. When sensory issues become too much, I put on noise-cancelling headphones. When I am travelling on Irish Rail, I wear noise-cancelling headphones that cost me €199. I ask members to try to listen to the video for the 85 seconds, although I guarantee they will not be able to do so. I have asked other people to listen to it and after about 40 seconds they pulled the headphones off because it is so intense.

Irish Rail has improved its signage. If a bus is descaled it has to travel on the route. I will give an example. Yesterday, on my way here I saw a single decker bus, number 233, which at the front of it displayed Macroom as its destination but on the side displayed Frankfield as the destination. In other words, at the front of the bus the destination was west Cork but on the side it was different destination. That is an issue.

It would be remiss of me not to compliment those involved in broadcasting the hearing attended by Mr. Padraic Moran and Ms Alannah Murray on the transport issues for wheelchair users. People who watched the video of it have commented that it has helped them to understand and get the message.