Victor Boyhan urges enforcement to keep streets accessible

Thank you. I'm going to share time with my colleague, Senator Sharon Keoghan. I'm pro-enterprise. I'm pro-enterprise. I'm very supportive of businesses and it's great to see them out on our roads and public spaces. But I have spoken to my local authorities. I've spoken to the Disability Federation of Ireland. I spoke to the Irish wheelchairs today. There are huge concerns about the policing. And the two key words in here. Ireland, Garda, Shakona will regulate and enforce the provisions in the course of their ordinary responsibilities. That's what you've told us here, Minister. Ireland, Shakona can't, in some places don't even have a car. In some places they have no resources. Let's not be cutting ourselves now here. But the reality is that vulnerable people with disability are being told to F off when they've confronted people in the restaurant and the pub business. That is the reality and that's my experience. And that's why I'm here to share it with you. So we have elderly people who are on primary leisers and supported wheels trying to navigate some of our heritage streets. I think of Dorky, Dun Laoghaire and Monkstown where I live. I think of Malahide where I was last Sunday. And again was told by people in business there with the same experience. I think of people in Kerry. I think all over the place. Indeed Limerick. So I think we have to be mindful here of people that are vulnerable who don't have this ability. I think of people, I'm a former director of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. People who are blind and visually impaired who can't navigate some of our streets. They're bad enough as they are. So we have little public realms. We're going to talk about the democracy around the public realm. But the public realm in many cases and these spaces that are shared between private and public come at a cost. And we treat everyone equally. My concern is year in, year out, I've spoken about this and nothing's been done. So when people with a disability are coming along with a wheelchair and can't get through and they confront a restaurant that says, I'm here to make business. I'm shut Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but I'm only open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to do business and make money. I understand all of that. But we have to have a regard to vulnerable people who are navigating our public streets. So when I say Minister, I'm happy to support this. I have been in touch with my own local authority. Only last week, last Friday, I had a meeting with the disability access officer who also shares concerns. So, you know, we can't be in a vacuum. We're just thinking of one person. We can't come in here and talk about disability matters and supporting vulnerable people navigating their towns and villages if we're bringing in legislation that doesn't have some regard. I don't want a nanny state and I don't want a police state. But I want someone to enforce it. So what am I asking, Minister of you? I'm asking your department on the way to Minister Callaghan this evening about it. I'm asking for you simply to send a letter. No legislation. Let's cut the nonsense. I wanted to communicate with the 31 chief executives of our local authorities and tell them that you are mindful of the challenges for disability people navigating the towns and villages and streets that you and I and others represent and to enforce the matter. So it's collaboration. We don't have many cases, joint policing, community services, whatever, because that's just a mess at the moment. I've been going to them and asking them. But I simply asked Minister, I'm sorry if I'm sounding a bit animated or agitated, but I am deeply concerned because of experiences of people that come to me and my office, that people with disabilities, so young children in prams, elderly people need support wheels to navigate our streets, people with disabilities in wheelchairs, visually impaired people, people with disabilities. We must keep our streets open. So it's a question of managing our public realms and our public space with the local authorities. 31 chief executives, 30 actually, and one secretary general in Nimerick. That's not too much to ask anyone. And I would ask Minister, if you'd commit to that, all asking, writing and saying, look, we're mindful that we want to support outdoor business. We're mindful we want to support communities and all the benefits. I enjoy it too. But also we have a responsibility to more vulnerable citizens that these spaces are kept open and accessible. So it's a combination of synergy and working between Angardshire Corner and the local authorities to ensure that happens over the next six months. Thank you, Minister.