Results 8,681-8,700 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) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Mr. Egan for the comprehensive statement. I appreciate that accessibility for all is obviously much better than in Victorian times, since the Luas has been set up more recently, but it clearly is a fundamental principle that the Luas fulfils. I invite Mr. Kevin Traynor from the Coach Tourism Transport Council of Ireland to make his statement.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Go raibh maith agat Mr. Traynor. We will now go the committee members. The tradition has been that it goes in the order of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Independent parties. In view of the very comprehensive statements we have had, I ask that members' contributions contain more questions than statements to get to the nub of the matter. After this session with the...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy O'Keeffe can come back again. We just want to get the initial questions.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Mr. Hernan is saying that, the busier the bus route, the less likely it is that Bus Éireann can dedicate a seat to people with disabilities, for example, wheelchairs.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy O'Keeffe's point is that such a seat is more likely to be sought on a busy route because more people are travelling on it. This goes to the core of the Deputy's point. Are they being treated as second class citizens? I do not want to take over the Deputy's question.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy Munster will contribute next, but I will put this to Mr. Hernan in a different way. While I accept that his comments are genuine, the fact is that the loser will be the disabled person who cannot give Bus Éireann notice but who must travel and needs that space. Demand for it is likely. Could Mr. Hernan give us the statistics on this matter? It is a critical issue for the...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: We can examine them. Mr. Hernan mentioned commerciality. I do not want to pick him up negatively, but this is a public service and it should be available to people with disabilities in particular. Mr. Hernan is not saying that it is not a public service, of course. I will not put words in his mouth.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: I appreciate Mr. Hernan's commitment on that. Deputy Munster is next, but Deputy Barry must leave at-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: That is not a problem.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy Mick Barry told me at the beginning that he was pressed for time. May he ask his questions now?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Yes. All of the answers may be given together, if that is acceptable.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: I will go back to Deputy Imelda Munster first and then we can hear the answers to the questions asked.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: He has to go in two minutes; that is all I am concerned about. I do not mind. I am happy to hear the answers to the questions asked.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Then Deputy Murphy after her-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: If the witness does not have the facts-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Let me make my point. As Chairman, I just-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: I want to be fair to everybody.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: I want to be helpful to Deputy Munster and get her the answers she wants. I also want to offer the witness the opportunity to get the facts and come back directly to Deputy Munster immediately after this meeting. I think it is fair to Mr. Hernan. He does not the facts but he will come back with them immediately-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: I think the Deputy's point is that, whatever the regulation is, people wish to reduce that waiting time. I think what we want as a committee is for the service to be provided within the shortest possible time. I appreciate Mr. Hernan is quoting the regulations. I think it is a question of the company wishing to bring about the changes the Deputy is talking about, regardless of what the...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Jan 2018)
Fergus O'Dowd: Deputy Munster, I am happy that everyone gets an opportunity to ask questions. It is just that Deputy Murphy has indicated she would like to ask some questions shortly and I am anxious that everyone gets a full opportunity.