Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When we were doing this report on accessibility to public transport for people with disabilities, it was an eye-opener for the members of the committee. I thank the stakeholders who engaged with the committee. The witnesses appeared before the committee and they clearly and starkly articulated their experiences with disadvantage, exclusion and unequal treatment. I have only noticed it myself in recent years, and it is a much different experience, but it is only when one has a young child with a pram on public transport that one realises how difficult it is for people with disabilities to access public transport. That is just an aside.

The Minister is asking people to make submissions for the public consultation which is open. I welcome the fact that the investment in public transport will be accelerated under the national development plan. I also welcome the fact that the Minister said that, in future, no public transport company in the Department will function without a minimum of one board member who has knowledge and experience of the needs of people with disabilities. I am delighted that the Minister has appointed such directors to the boards of CIÉ, Bus Éireann, Irish Rail, Dublin Bus and the NTA because these directors can play a vital role in how to best deal with accessibility to infrastructure for people with disabilities.

The Minister also said he is pleased to announce that the successful applicant for the position of transport accessibility manager took up duty in the NTA on Monday of this week. I would like to know exactly the nature of that role. What powers does that manager have? How will he or she make a difference?

I welcome the fact that in rural and regional areas the NTA aims to deliver 20 new wheelchair lift-accessible bus stops this years. Where will these bus stops be located?

The NTA is developing a centralised customer contact centre, which will address the issue covered by recommendations 4 to 7, inclusive, of the committee's report. What exactly will that centralised customer contact centre do? I understand it is from door to door but what powers will it have? What is the chain of command for dealing with these important issues?