Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I welcome what the Minister of State has said. To take an example in my constituency, there is no proper disability access to Drogheda Post Office. It is very difficult for disabled people to get in there. I am not talking just about physical access to buildings, but also the urban environment in towns, including footpaths, which may not be properly structured for the disabled. There are very few towns or buildings with adequate access for people with disabilities. For the most part, they cannot get around in their wheelchairs independently. This is a major issue but the Minister of State is not doing enough about it. We should seek the views of organisations representing the disabled and they should have a statutory right of access. I accept what he has said about changing the regulations but I am still deeply concerned about this issue. I will push this amendment to a voice vote.

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