Vol. 500 No. 7
362 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the efforts, if any, being made by his Department to ensure that people with physical disabilities who are wheelchair bound have access to public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5122/99]
My responsibilities in disability matters relate to the development of a Government strategy to give effect to the Report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities – A Strategy for Equality. In this regard an interdepartmental taskforce, chaired by my Department, is currently drafting a plan of action on the rights of people with disabilities based on this report. The issue of access to public transport for people with disabilities is being considered by the taskforce in the context of this work. It is intended, on completion, to submit the plan of action to Government.
As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for public transport rests with my colleague, Deputy Mary O'Rourke, Minister for Public Enterprise, with whom he may wish to raise the matter.
