Vol. 416 No. 6
23 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is extremely restricted access for wheelchair users to Leinster House and none at all to the visitors gallery of Dáil Éireann; and if he will outline whether there are any plans to improve the situation.
I am aware that the present situation with regard to wheelchair access is not ideal and I am pleased to say that works are being undertaken to improve the situation.
A new lift which allows wheelchair users direct access to the visitors' gallery was recently installed. External and internal ramps will be constructed during the summer recess and these, taken in conjunction with the new lift, will provide access to most areas of the House.
These works, as is normal, are being carried our by the Office of Public Works. I hope Deputy Garland will avail of this opportunity to withdraw the obscene remarks he made on Wednesday last in this House when he referred to the Office of Public Works staff as faceless Fascists. Such references to civil servants are contrary to the traditions of the House and are not acceptable. I wish to place it formally on the record that I have always found the staff of the Office of Public Works to be committed and dedicated. I ask Deputy Garland to withdraw these remarks in their entirety.
I have no intention whatsoever of withdrawing my remarks which I believe were very merited and long overdue. I do not know why the Minister chose this opportunity to bring in this totally extraneous matter. I asked about access for wheelchair users to Leinster House and not about interpretative centres. It is a gross abuse of Question Time to go off the agenda like that.
It is an absolute disgrace that we are only now getting down to providing proper facilities in this House for wheelchair users. The Minister indicated that there were plans to provide access for wheelchair users to the public gallery and the House. Is the Minister making any progress in the provision of toilets for wheelchair users, of which there is no sign in the House at present?
I believe the Members in the House will accept that I never mentioned interpretative centres. I referred to the Office of Public Works and a statement the Deputy made about the staff of the Office of Public Works. If the Deputy does not like to listen to the facts it is time he read what he said. As a public representative it is time the Deputy realised that people who are not in this House have a right to be respected, particularly when they serve the State with such dedication.
With regard to the question of altering toilets to accommodate wheelchair users, this matter will be considered.
(Limerick East): May I ask the Minister if he and his Department would undertake a general review of access for wheelchair users to public buildings? Is the Minister aware that the main offices of some health boards ironically do not provide such access?
The question refers rather specifically to Leinster House.
The Office of Public Works have in the past co-operated with various other Departments and State agencies in making recommendations for wheelchair access. I will certainly take up the matter again to see if we can improve the situation.
(Limerick East): The Minister should carry out a full survey.
