Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Apologies, but one of the questions I asked in the first round was not answered. I presume the reason for this is just to speed up the process by which the bus stops, vending machines and street furniture can be implemented. In terms of time, what is the actual time saving from the exemptions?

The second is with respect to street furniture and advertising. Certain drinks advertisers, for example, may and in some cases do offer free street furniture so long as they can advertise. It is very positive that the vending machines do not permit the advertising of other kinds of commercial products. Is that something that can be considered, or has been considered, with respect to street furniture?

Ultimately, the responsibility for managing this comes down to the local authorities, but the clearer the advice issued centrally, the more consistent the approach. I would hope the Minister of State will take away from members of the committee, particularly with respect to visually impaired people and those who have to navigate the streets, that clear guidance from the Department to the local authorities would really help. If that is not an issue for anybody, it enhances the general public perception that this is a good thing, which I think we all agree with. However, when one has incidents such as that gentleman I saw fall last week, that colours people's attitude. If there is not very clear guidance already from the Department to the local authorities - and maybe there is - the clearer that guidance is in terms of safety for those who are visually impaired, the better.