Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2025
203. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the status of engagements between Iarnród Éireann and a representative group (details supplied), including the reasons for the absence of meetings over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31978/25]
View answer204. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify which individual or body within Iarnród Éireann initiated a review of a representative group (details supplied); if he will outline the process by which the terms of reference for this review were developed, including whether members of the group were consulted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31979/25]
View answer205. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of concerns raised in relation to the conduct of the external body engaged by Iarnród Éireann to facilitate engagement with a representative group (details supplied); and if he will indicate whether any complaints or issues were formally brought to the attention of senior management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31980/25]
View answer206. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport when he plans to meet with members of the representative groups (details supplied), further to previous verbal commitments to engage with these groups to inform the development of accessible public transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31981/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 203, 204, 205 and 206 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of integrated, accessible public transport networks and infrastructure. The NTA works with the relevant public transport operators, for example Irish Rail, who have responsibility for operational issues, including matters in relation to the Disability User Groups in each company.
From a policy perspective, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of An Taoiseach has established a unit within its Department which will focus on disability, reflecting a commitment in the Programme for Government to a step change in supports and services required by disabled people. In my role as Minister for Transport, I will be engaging with that unit with an emphasis on addressing the wider issues such as ensuring that all public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers.
In addition, the new national disability strategy is expected to be published shortly. I look forward to engaging with the disability sector, including the Disability User Groups, under the auspices of the new strategy to progress all of the transport priority actions in the strategy. I do have to emphasise though, that issues relating to the operation and management of individual Disability User Groups are a matter for the individual companies.
In light of Irish Rail's responsibility for its Disability User Group, I have forwarded your questions to the company for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
