Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Ó Fearghaíl for sharing time. This is my maiden speech. I thank the people of New Ross and district and the rest of County Wexford for the support they gave me in the general election. I look forward to representing them in the House for the next five years.

I thank the staff of Leinster House for the efforts they have made in facilitating my requirements in terms of access to the House. They have been friendly, patient and helpful.

I congratulate the Minister on his appointment. Having had the opportunity and pleasure of working with him for a number of years in several portfolios, I know he will be instrumental in driving Transport 21. I have great confidence in his ability.

Like many other speakers, I welcome the introduction of barrier-free tolling on the M50. All Deputies have heard horror stories about spending too much time on the M50. I am pleased the issue is finally being addressed, as it will provide great relief for those who use the road every day and reduce the costs incurred by business as a result of massive delays caused by congestion.

I also welcome the important decision to designate dual carriageways as motorways. The variety of speed limits on dual carriageways causes confusion and results in drivers either reducing speed or accelerating at points where they are not sure of the speed limit. The proposed measure will help address this problem.

I welcome the decision to provide service facilities. Our colleagues in France have the provision of such facilities down to a fine art. We have an opportunity to use planning legislation to ensure rest areas are designed to attract drivers by providing toilet, service and parking facilities. Given that fatigue is one of the major contributors to road accidents, it is important that truck drivers, tourists, many of whom travel in camper vans, and disabled drivers and their families have an opportunity to take rest periods.

I was one of many local councillors in the south east who expressed concern at the lack of investment in the region's road infrastructure in recent years. I am pleased this matter is being addressed through the development of the Carlow and Waterford bypasses. This is an historic day for the people of County Wexford because the Gorey bypass, a project costing in excess of €200 million, is being opened. People have difficulty accessing and leaving the county through my home town of New Ross located at one end of Wexford and Gorey at the other. We are delighted the motorway due to open today has been completed on time and under budget.

New Ross is one of the country's main black spots for traffic delays. Many of my constituents experience delays of up to one hour each evening as they try to cross O'Hanrahan Bridge in the town. The publication of compulsory purchase orders for the town bypass is expected shortly. I encourage the Minister to ensure the New Ross and Enniscorthy bypasses are at the top of the agenda.

Transport 21 proposes the development of a new carriageway from Letterkenny along the western seaboard to Waterford. With the New Ross bypass set to be a dual carriageway, we should consider extending the proposed carriageway from Waterford to the Europort in Rosslare Harbour, one of our vital transport links. I hope access to the country by carriageway from Rosslare will be facilitated, although my priority in the next five years will be to ensure the New Ross bypass is delivered.

I was present for priority questions last week, during which the Minister and Opposition transport spokespersons debated access to taxis for people with disabilities. I have travelled extensively in recent years, including to New York and several cities in France and Spain. During most of these visits I have encountered difficulty accessing taxis. The problem with imposing a condition that taxi providers must make available vehicles accessible to disabled persons is that finding one of the small number of such vehicles when one needs one is akin to winning the national lottery. My best experience of accessing taxis has been in London where a fantastic job has been done in fitting black cabs with ramps in the floor. A disabled person will find that all London taxis are accessible and a ramp is extended to the footpath within ten seconds of hailing a cab. In addition, all taxi drivers receive training and each taxi can accommodate a wheelchair user, four additional passengers and shopping.

A number of car manufacturers continue to produce vehicles which are suitable to being adapted for disabled access. Ireland has an opportunity to lead the way in this respect. We should consider the possibility of phasing in a universal access taxi in the next three to five years. A specialist type of taxi will always be required for community services. Opportunities are available to address the additional costs associated with delivering universal access taxis by providing vehicle registration tax and VAT refunds. We should examine the London model.

During priority questions last week Deputies raised the issue of buying buses that are not suitable for wheelchair access. Why are we still buying buses which are not accessible? Why are manufacturers still producing such buses? As I often state, the only barriers preventing me from leading the lifestyle I choose to the full are those that society erects. We must try to address the root causes of these problems. I hope action will be taken to ensure all public service vehicles, including buses, train carriages and taxis, are made wheelchair accessible.

I welcome the Bill, as it will deliver significant progress. I look forward to supporting the Minister and my colleagues in ensuring its provisions are implemented as quickly as possible.

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