Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

To be helpful, I am quite happy, at the appropriate time, to provide Deputy O'Callaghan with a note on the work that has been done and is being done. It can also be for Deputy Ó Broin and others who have raised it at the committee. It will not be for tomorrow, but there has been engagement there.

I have been dead straight with members that there is no formal review under way. To have this access environmental assessment would be a whole new approach. I believe that approach has changed on the ground anyway, and rightly so. Deputy O'Callaghan mentioned thresholds. I do not want to give a false impression I will be coming forward with something on Report Stage as I do not intend to. Again, I want to be very straight with members on that. What I will do is provide a briefing note for the Deputy and other interested members on the work that has been done heretofore and I am sure we will return to this. I believe it is a very strong provision to ensure local authorities must be guided in the preparation of their development plans. Deputy Ó Broin has mentioned that our last development plan cycle has concluded and new development plans are in place. All new development plans will have to have regard to this into the future.

One of our biggest challenges with disability access, if we take it as an example, is with older buildings. That is why so much has been put into improvement of the public realm in towns cities and villages throughout the country, but more needs to be done, unquestionably.