"Transport for All"

"Transport for All" is made up of organisations and individuals involved in promoting the rights of disabled people in Ireland including: The Forum of People with Disabilities, Disability Federation Ireland, Irish Wheelchair Association, Center for Independent Living, Central Remedial Clinic, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Cerebral Palsy Ireland.

The launch of "Transport for All" was a direct response to the action undertaken by John Doyle over the expenditure of £25.5 million by Dublin Bus to purchase inaccessible buses using European Structural funds and taxpayers monies

At the launch of Transport for All on the 16th of December 1998, organisations involved in promoting the rights of disabled people have suggested that the Irish Government may be investigated by the European Commission as agreement was given that the structural funds could not be used on structures which exclude disabled people.

At the time, the Commission expressed surprise to learn that Dublin Bus would be buying 150 buses that would not provide access for disabled people despite communication previously made between the Commission and Dublin Bus.

At the launch of its campaign, "Transport for All"said that they would use every route - legal, political and moral to reverse this decision which is in direct contravention to the Programme for Government which specifically states it would introduce measures and policies to provide access to public transport to disabled people.

John Doyle was a disabled man from Bray, County Wicklow who held a 48 hour vigil outside Heuston Station in frustration at CIE's decision, and years of having to crawl on buses. Addressing the conference, he said that he would have no difficulty about returning to the streets if the government refused to change its decision.

Transport for All asked the Taoiseach as chair of the Cabinet Sub Committee on Social Inclusion to:

Request the Minister for Public Enterprise that these 150 buses are accessible and that no more inaccessible buses are purchased using either European or Government funds.
Ensure with the co-operation of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and organisations of disabled people that a disability proofing mechanism or Forum is established to implement the recommendation pertaining to Transport contained in the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities Report.
Ensure that a similar mechanism be in place for each area covered in the report of the Commission so that disability is placed on the agenda of all Government Departments and public bodies as stated in the Programme for Government.

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"Transport for All"

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