Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 53: To ask the Minister for Transport his view on the fact that when a mini-bus owner is registering with the Carriage Office there is no specific recognition in law to the provision where a mini-bus is adapted for wheelchair accessibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17535/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Mini-buses, having 8 or more passenger seats, are categorised as large public service vehicles. There is, currently, no special category of wheelchair accessible large public service vehicle. The licensing of large public service vehicles is a matter for the Garda Síochána.

EU Directive 2001/85/EC of 20 November 2001 sets out EU Type Approval standards for buses and mini-buses. The Directive includes provisions for accessibility by wheelchair users and sets out, inter alia, technical standards for wheelchair accommodation. While the Directive is not mandatory for entry into service of new vehicles it is my intention to ask the Road Safety Authority, on its establishment, to examine whether it should be a requirement for new buses and mini-buses entering into service that they be type approved in accordance with the Directive.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 54: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the failure of Aer Lingus to abide by the voluntary airline passenger service commitment by requiring passengers with specific disabilities to submit a medical certificate signed by a doctor before they are allowed to travel; if he will undertake to use his position as the sole shareholder in Aer Lingus to ensure that the voluntary airline passenger services commitment is fully implemented prior to privatisation; if he will ensure the establishment of a system for ongoing consultation with people who are disabled and people who have impaired mobility; if he will assure people that the requirement for persons who are disabled to make medical declarations as a condition of travel will be removed; and if he will ensure that Aer Lingus publish a written policy for passengers who are disabled in accessible formats. [17609/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Airline Passenger Service Commitment to which the Deputy refers is a voluntary European initiative which contains non-legally binding commitments to deliver defined standards of service to air travellers. The initiative, to which Aer Lingus is a signatory, was adopted during the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) in Lisbon on May 10th 2001, and came into effect on 14 February 2002.

I have been advised by Aer Lingus that it is not the policy of the airline to seek medical certificates from people with disabilities. However, in certain circumstances, for example, where a person has recently had surgery or at certain stages in pregnancy, a medical certificate may be sought. The company has emphasized to me that it is, and will continue to be, the policy of Aer Lingus that all its services are accessible to persons with disabilities. The company is confident that its current policies in this area comply with best practice in the provision of access to persons with reduced mobility.