Vol. 504 No. 4
247 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals, if any, being considered by the interdepartmental committee which is drawing up an action plan for the disabled in relation to the provision of dedicated transport services; his views on whether access to transport services is a key element in gaining equality of status for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12141/99]
Departmental responsibility for public transport rests with my colleague, the Minister for Public Enterprise, Deputy Mary O'Rourke. It is her stated policy that transport operators, and in particular state transport companies, should provide the highest possible degree of accessibility within the overall resources available to them.
The issue of access to transport services for people with disabilities is being dealt with by the interdepartmental task force in the context of its overall consideration of the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities – A Strategy for Equality. The task force has not yet submitted its proposals to me but I understand that it is close to finalising them and it is my intention, on receipt, to submit them to Government as soon as possible thereafter.
