Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I know that the Minister of State is in the invidious position of reading out a statement and that this is not his direct responsibility but that statement is honestly appalling. The fact of the matter is that no one in a wheelchair can access these machines. That is a gaping chasm as a result of a failure to consult people with disabilities. The line the Minister of State has been given, that Re-Turn will work directly with the local retail community to find a solution, is nonsense. That is just not happening. There is nothing in place for people with disabilities. I have not even mentioned the fact that no consideration was given to people who are blind or visually impaired in this scheme. The fact of the matter is that best practice is there across Europe for anyone to see. I showed the Minister of State a document that is 23 years old at this point in time and would have told this Government how to go about this properly. It took Leigh Gath approximately ten minutes to find that document. This is a serious failure by the Government. I want to hear a response from the Minister of State. If possible, will he take two minutes at the end of these Commencement matters to speak to Leigh Gath, who has taken the time to come up from Pallaskenry this morning to raise this issue directly with the Government? I would really welcome it if he could do that.