Vol. 502 No. 1
70 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether Irish public transport systems remains one of the least accessible in Europe to people with disabilities; the progress, if any, made in providing equality of access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7234/99]
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.
Revised equal status legislation is being developed in my Department which 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 banking, entertainment, recreation or transport and professional or trade services.
The measure is being developed in line with extensive legal advice obtained following the decision of the Supreme Court that the Equal Status Bill, 1997, was unconstitutional. It is envisaged that the revised measure will be published before the end of the Dáil's Easter recess.
