Vol. 515 No. 1
82 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the Government is opposing mandatory access provisions for disabled persons and favouring optional access in relation to the bus and coaches directive (Com (97) 0276); and if she will change the Irish position on this directive in the interests of equity. [5528/00]
The proposed directive is designed to introduce harmonised requirements throughout the community for new buses and coaches coming onto the market. The detailed technical provisions contained in the proposal are still being examined at EU Council working group level, including mandatory provisions for class I buses on accessibility for persons with reduced mobility. Ireland is favourably disposed towards the adoption of such mandatory accessibility provisions.
