Vol. 537 No. 3
45 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 18 of 5 April 2001, he will clarify the likely timescale for agreement to be reached with various interest groups on the specification for wheelchair accessible taxis in 2003, when all taxis are due to be wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14545/01]
I have indicated that it is my intention that the process of making all taxis wheelchair accessible will commence by end 2003. It is also my intention to consult extensively with representatives of consumer groups, disabled persons and taxi service providers to develop further quality improvements for taxi services for the benefit of both the service providers and the general public alike in the medium term. This process may give rise to further revision of the existing specification for wheelchair accessible taxis, if appropriate. A definitive timescale for this consultation process has not been fixed but my Department is finalising a consultation document for publication in the near future.
