John Dolan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wished to make that point. Given my background and the routine engagement I have with disabled people, what has been said does not come across as respectful and thoughtful in any sense, nor is it in keeping with Government policy. I would have thought that the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform would understand the ins and outs of money coming from a Department, not coming from a Department or not enough of it coming from one Department to another for a public scheme.

I will leave that aside. I have half a dozen questions for the witnesses. I am not expecting responses so I will rattle through them. What engagement has the NTA had with local authorities across the 16 core bus corridors to establish how many disabled parking spaces and the like would be impacted? Can the NTA explain the benefit of more than €14 million in expenditure for rebranding the Dublin Bus fleet?

This matter has been raised by other members. Has there been engagement with disability groups? A change of branding by marketers might be exciting, but the elderly and some people with disabilities or medical conditions can get used to a style of branding and then be confused or put off if it is changed significantly. I have in mind people with intellectual disabilities, dementia or other neurological conditions who know the sign for a certain type of bus, for example. There needs to be thoughtfulness in respect of this matter. When Translink makes changes to its fleet, for example, it invites members of the mobility impaired and wheelchair community to go to see mock-ups of those changes. It is important that we not reach the point of the bus being unveiled before we find out that there is a blip. People should know what compromises are being made before a conclusion is reached.

What discussions has the NTA had with the disability stakeholders about its new routes? Will the BusConnects budgetary requirement impact on the budget or resources Bus Éireann needs to ensure that its fleet is accessible and that disabled people can travel? What other impacts will there be?

I will leave it at that. I am not looking for everything to be dealt with now.