Vol. 502 No. 1
81 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action, if any, he will take to ensure the rights of people who use wheelchairs can be availed in relation to public services such as bank ATM machines and public telephones in view of the report of the National Training and Development Institute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7207/99]
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 Dáil resumes after the Easter recess.
