Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

The Minister did not acquire a hybrid car so the House cannot really expect him to get an electric one although he is supposed to lead the way in these matters.

I understand that at the end of last year about 60% of the Dublin Bus fleet was accessible. The target date is 2012. Will that target be met? The Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, will have some knowledge about complaints in various parts of the city that some bus garages, for instance, Clontarf, did not seem to be getting their fair share of the new, accessible and most impressive looking buses by the end of last year. Has the Minister spoken to Dublin Bus about this to ensure that the new fleet is brought into place throughout the region? People with disabilities have suffered in this regard because of ideological reasons because there was no will to go forward with the additional fleet for Dublin Bus until the present Minister took office. If that fleet had been renewed as the company wished it to be, we would now be much further down the road to full accessibility. Is it not the case that the Government is responsible for opposing its own strategy on disability?

People around the country have expressed concerns to me about the Bus Éireann fleet. Some, including drivers, have said that although big, new impressive buses are now in use these buses are not completely accessible. There are difficulties with them although they have other strengths. Does the Minister have concerns about the Bus Éireann fleet?

See this speech in context