Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Philips and his team. It is good to hear him make that admission in his last comment because that is where the problem lies. I want to ask about passengers with reduced mobility in particular and how they will fit into the DAA's plan. I have feedback from people who were stopped at the weekend and I know the weekend was chaotic. Mr. Philips and his team did not want that and none of us want to see that again. We just want people to avail of a State service and to do so in a comfortable and appropriate manner. People were stopped coming up the ramp. It caused great distress having to walk and queue, which affected many people. Can the DAA be sure that the information given is very clear? Where will people with reduced mobility be able to access the airport? Will they be able to drive right up and be dropped at the door? Will they have to queue or make extra arrangements? The DAA has brought in new staff and will be bringing in more. The figures Mr. Philips mentioned were a 10% increase in staff and 40 new security people and I ask that they be briefed fully. It is very difficult when you get new staff in. When staff have been there for a long time they know the ropes and they know what to do but new staff can be overenthusiastic and the DAA needs to be careful of that. I ask the DAA to be sure that information goes to those passengers who have booked for assistance on where the meeting points will be and that information must be clear. That has to be a priority.