Vol. 504 No. 2
87 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps, if any, he plans to take to prevent the exclusion of people with physical disabilities from Dublin buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11532/99]
Responsibility for public transport rests with my colleague, the Minister for Public Enterprise, Deputy O'Rourke. Her stated policy is that transport operators, and in particular State transport companies, should provide the highest possible degree of accessibility within the overall resources available to them and she is committed to bringing about a situation where public transport facilities are fully accessible to all at the earliest possible date.
The Equal Status Bill, 1999 was published on 19 April 1999. The Bill will prohibit discrimination in non-workplace areas on a range of grounds, including disability. The legislation will apply to all goods and services which are generally available to the public, including facilities for refreshment and entertainment, credit facilities and transport services.
The Bill contains provisions empowering the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, with the agreement of the Minister for Public Enterprise, to make regulations requiring road or rail passenger vehicles to be equipped so as to be readily accessible to people with disabilities.
The Bill is now before the Oireachtas and I anticipate its enactment in the coming months.
