Results 8,421-8,440 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Ms Barron for a comprehensive and constructive analysis. I call Ms Graham to give her address, following which members will ask questions of the witnesses.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Ms Graham for that comprehensive address to the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: More people use public transport at peak times. Should operators be required to provide people to assist customers at peak times, particularly at unmanned stations? In other words, there is an expectation that somebody will be available. Has the NTA asked Irish Rail to carry out an analysis on the frequency and times the organisation has been asked to supply services? Such information...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Ms Graham has said that Irish Rail is analysing the frequency and times when assistance is in peak demand. I presume more assistance is required at peak travel times.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Please share that information with us.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: During the week a news programme was broadcast that featured a person with a disability availing of the new system of ramps. The person was brought to place A but he or she was left at that location. In other words, there is a lack of follow through in terms of the arrangements made. The NTA is the accountable body, I think. Why can the NTA not insist that such gaps in service never...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Ms Graham for her replies.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Senator Ó Céidigh will thank you for not asking them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: I was in Cuba a few years ago and everybody had to give 24 hours' notice to use public transport. It was ridiculous. One could not do anything.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Is there a better way of monitoring accessibility? We hear reports but who is in charge? Who is proactive in getting transparency on what is happening and reporting on it? On an advocate for change, many people come to me with issues relating to disability and I often think there is an absence of an advocate to carry the flag for them. Do we need a better advocacy service? Do we need...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: In respect of driving that change, there could be a website or somewhere people could go to make complaints if they wanted to do so. It is just to have more pressure on the system and the accountable people in the context of doing their job. That would be hugely important.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: How we do measure up to best practice internationally in terms of the transparency of the problems?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: Could I put a different way? I appreciate that Ms Barron might not be able to provide an answer today. Where is best practice? Where is the best accountability? Where is a real change happening most quickly and most effectively?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: The NTA wants a person who advocates and pushes it every day.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: On that point, perhaps we could meet a representative from the County and City Management Association before we finalise the report.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: What we are saying is that someone is needed to drive that agenda. If the local authorities have accountability, it would not be a bad idea to call them before this committee and ask them for their recommendations in this. I agree that must be in our report.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: There is no problem with that. I want everyone to get their answers.

Other Questions: Housing Provision (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: 64. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the structure of the new affordable purchase scheme. [4568/18]

Other Questions: Home Loan Scheme (31 Jan 2018)

Fergus O'Dowd: 92. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of expressions of interest there have been in the new local authority home loan scheme. [4567/18]