Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
869. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale for the exemption provided to Irish Rail, regarding access for persons with disabilities, under Statutory Instrument No. 549 of 2014; if this is in breach of any international agreements the State is party to; his plans to hold Irish Rail to account in its responsibility to provide access for persons with disabilities. [14258/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe exemption provided in Statutory Instrument No. 549 of 2014, the European Union (Rail Passengers' Rights and Obligations (Domestic Rail Passenger Services) (Renewal of Exemption) Regulations 2014, relates to the application of EU law under Regulation (EC) No. 1371/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on rail passengers' rights and obligations. This EU Regulation permits Member States to exempt domestic rail passenger services from certain provisions of the Regulation including requirements relating to accessibility at stations, platforms, rolling stock and other facilities.
Accessibility improvements to public transport services are being advanced in the context of Transport Access for All, the Transport Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005. Accessibility is being built into new public transport rail infrastructure and new rolling stock from the design stage and funding is being provided to Irish Rail under my Department's Accessibility Grants Programme, through the National Transport Authority, to fund accessibility improvements to existing rail infrastructure and facilities for persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility. An exemption under the EU Regulation has been renewed for a five year period to enable Irish Rail to continue to roll out the accessibility improvement programme on a route basis.
