Teresa Costello
Agricultural Panel · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“For example, in Tallaght, Firhouse and Ballyroan, people are telling me that the road and junction narrowing has led to increased congestion, longer journey times and frustration on the part of motorists, while also making it more difficult for buses, delivery vehicles and larger vehicles to navigate safely.”
“Likewise, long-acting reversible contraception such as implants and intrauterine devices will continue to be provided through appropriately trained medical professionals. These safeguards ensure that patient safety remains at the heart of this new service. The legislation represents good use of public resources.”
“I thank the Minister of State for being here today. Over the past few years and during my time as a councillor, there have been many changes to the roads in my area. It led me to ask the Minister to undertake a comprehensive review of the design manual for urban roads and streets, commonly known as DMURS.”
“I am not the first to raise this and I will not be the last but I am constantly receiving reports - one as recently as this morning - about the huge number of dumped nitrous oxide canisters in the community. If there is a car park that does not have a gate on it is left full of these. I have had to clear up car parks with people.”
“While I acknowledge the council's position, many local people's lived experience has been different from what has been said about DMURS. We are seeing queues building up at peak times, greater difficulty accessing side roads and a road network that is becoming less efficient for everyone who depends on it.”
“I looked at one particular junction where cars were constantly overshooting white lines. It was very confusing and difficult for motorists. The proposed removal of village car parking under DMURS creates significant challenges.”
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“Under the community pharmacy agreement, the agreed reimbursement for a pharmacy consultation is significantly lower than the current allocation for a GP consultation, so it delivers value for taxpayers while improving patient convenience. I acknowledge the constructive engagement between the Department of Health, the HSE, the IPU and all those involved in developing this service. Their collaboration demonstrates how healthcare reform can be delivered through partnership and careful planning. As it is rolled out, it is important that the Government continues to monitor its implementation and ensure pharmacists receive the necessary training and support and maintain close collaboration with GPs to ensure a seamless continuity of care for patients.”
“Likewise, long-acting reversible contraception such as implants and intrauterine devices will continue to be provided through appropriately trained medical professionals. These safeguards ensure that patient safety remains at the heart of this new service. The legislation represents good use of public resources. Every repeat prescription that can be safely managed in a pharmacy is one less routine appointment occupying valuable GP time. It creates additional capacity within general practice for patients with chronic illnesses, mental health concerns, children's healthcare and more complex conditions. It creates the additional capacity within general capacity, including patients with chronic illnesses, mental health concerns, children's healthcare and more complex conditions. It is also a cost-effective reform.”
“The Bill benefits women outside the free contraception scheme and women aged over 35 are able to avail of the service privately where clinically approved, at a cost that is expected to be lower than the cost of attending a GP. It is a welcome step in improving accessibility and affordability. Just as importantly, the legislation contains important safeguards. As the Minister explained, patients must first receive the assessment and prescription from a GP. Pharmacists will operate under nationally approved clinical protocols with mandatory training and clear professional standards. Women with complex medical conditions or higher clinical risks will remain under the care of their GP, and that is really important.”
“The existing pharmacists in our community are approachable and knowledgeable and deserve that respect to be given the extra trust to carry out extra work. They are one of the greatest strengths of our primary care system. The Bill builds on that trusted relationship. It is allowing them, under strict clinical protocols, to provide the repeat prescriptions for certain forms of short-acting contraception. It is not replacing the GPs but just complementing them and allowing them to focus on more complex issues and patients who have more complex needs. The programme for Government committed to continuing the expansion of access to free contraception and this legislation delivers on that commitment in a practical and patient-centered way.”
“I welcome the Minister. She has made herself very available to the Seanad during this term. I understand how busy she is but we really do appreciate the time she has given and how she has listened to us. I mean that very sincerely. I welcome this Bill. It is practical and sensible legislation. It reflects how healthcare is evolving in Ireland. It is about making access to care easier and reducing unnecessary delays. The Minister spoke about pharmacists and their qualifications, which just brought me back to my childhood. We had a pharmacist whose name was Mattie. He worked out of Glenview. My grandparents and parents had such faith in him. He was a miracle worker in our community. People still talk about him to this day. He is long since retired.”
“The neurological issues can be helped but nobody is making a full recovery on this and that is really concerning. It is also a huge issue with road safety. People are going around with balloons hanging off their lips. I want to know what powers An Garda Síochána has to deal with this. If members of the Garda see someone who is found driving while under the influence of nitrous oxide or are consuming it behind the wheel, are there sufficient drug driving laws or are there gaps that need to be addressed? The Minister will have to come in on this because it is a public health issue, an environmental issue but also a road safety issue.”
“I am not the first to raise this and I will not be the last but I am constantly receiving reports - one as recently as this morning - about the huge number of dumped nitrous oxide canisters in the community. If there is a car park that does not have a gate on it is left full of these. I have had to clear up car parks with people. It is not just an environmental issue. It is clear to see from the huge quantities of these canisters that recreational use is becoming more widespread in public places. What concerns me most is not the litter, because litter can be fixed; it is the health implications that cannot be undone. A recent study by the RCSI in Beaumont Hospital found a significant increase in cases of young people suffering spinal cord damage linked to nitrous oxide use.”
“I was taken by what Senator Ruane said. It is not often I have heard her compliment herself but everybody in Tallaght is so proud of her. She has achieved so much and she has huge respect in Tallaght. I also want to comment on what Senator Andrews said. I think people are bored of the whole "Government let you down" thing. A lot of my constituents, when they get that response from Sinn Féin, just come to me to get stuff sorted out. It is boring now at this point. I am going to buy the Senator a present. It is a book called The Secret. It is about positive thinking and all that. It is really good for the health. Today, I raise the growing problem of the misuse of nitrous oxide and the serious impact it is having in my community.”
“We have to respect people’s lived experience, their lives and how they navigate them comfortably and not leave them frustrated and angry over changes I feel are unnecessary a lot of time.”
“I am a road user. My constituents who are road users do not feel it is being informed by them. There is frustration in the community. There is congestion, roads are being narrowed and buses passing each other are clipping their mirrors. The DMURS is not up to scratch. Money is being wasted unnecessarily. If disability groups are being included, I recommend that somebody who is blind is included as well. I say this because I did a walk around Tallaght with a blind man and the navigation of the roads was not up to scratch. People are being forced out of their cars with all of this. That is what it feels like, and we are not there yet with transport. We are talking about banning e-scooters, but we do not have the alternatives.”
“We need to examine whether excessive road narrowing is contributing to congestion, the impact on emergency services, buses and commercial traffic, whether local authorities have sufficient flexibility to adapt designs to local conditions and whether post-construction views should become standard practice so that schemes can be amended where genuine problems arise. I reiterate that the removal of car parking is causing huge difficulty. People are frustrated and annoyed. I am seeing what I would say is a waste of money in some locations. Footpaths have been changed and there are potholes in roads. Something needs to be changed.”
“While I acknowledge the council's position, many local people's lived experience has been different from what has been said about DMURS. We are seeing queues building up at peak times, greater difficulty accessing side roads and a road network that is becoming less efficient for everyone who depends on it. The issue is not whether we should provide safe infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists; we should. It is not about reversing active travel investment. It is about ensuring that road design is proportionate, flexible and responsive to the needs of each community. At the moment projects are continuing to be rolled out in Tallaght. It is important that we evaluate what is working well and where adjustments are needed. The time has come for a review of DMURS.”
“I looked at one particular junction where cars were constantly overshooting white lines. It was very confusing and difficult for motorists. The proposed removal of village car parking under DMURS creates significant challenges. We have just gone through a Part 8 public consultation process in Tallaght where the Tallaght village on-street car parking is being removed. Many villages have limited on-street car parking already and public transport is not really up to scratch to facilitate people's needs. People rely on convenient parking to support local businesses, residents, older people and visitors. Reducing parking without providing practical alternatives risks harming accessibility, weakens village centres and places unnecessary pressure on local economies.”
“For example, in Tallaght, Firhouse and Ballyroan, people are telling me that the road and junction narrowing has led to increased congestion, longer journey times and frustration on the part of motorists, while also making it more difficult for buses, delivery vehicles and larger vehicles to navigate safely. They are not isolated complaints. They are concerns that are being expressed consistently by people in my area. On Firhouse Road West, residents have raised concerns during the delivery of active travel measures that the narrowing of junctions creates delays and operational difficulties. The response they got was that the design complied with DMURS, the national guidance, and that the narrowing was intended to reduce speeding without affecting capacity. Independent road safety audits were also carried out.”
“I thank the Minister of State for being here today. Over the past few years and during my time as a councillor, there have been many changes to the roads in my area. It led me to ask the Minister to undertake a comprehensive review of the design manual for urban roads and streets, commonly known as DMURS. I appreciate the principles behind DMURS are good ones. We all want safer roads, lower vehicle speeds, where appropriate, better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, and communities that are more accessible and more sustainable. However, while the policy objectives are commendable, there is increasing concern that the implementation of DMURS in some locations has gone too far and is creating unintended consequences. These concerns are being raised repeatedly by residents in my area.”
“After two years of assessment, review and negotiations, patients need certainty. The bigger picture is that the process is not working. Decisions should never take this long. Last month, it was Givinostat and this month, it is Skyclarys. It will be something else next month. The process needs to change. I call on the Minister to come into this House because we need a discussion about the reimbursement process, orphan drugs, rare diseases and early access programmes.”
“The health technology assessment began in September 2024. The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, NCPE, completed its review in December 2025 and commercial negotiations have taken place. Yesterday, instead of reaching a final decision, another stage was added. If it is about pricing, our pricing is in line with other EU countries. We cannot expect to get special treatment in Ireland and undercut everyone else. Every week matters to a person living with Friedreich’s ataxia. It is a progressive, degenerative disease. Time lost cannot be recovered. Mobility, independence and quality of life continue to decline while this process continues. I appreciate that the HSE has a job of work to do in this regard, and I know the decision yesterday was not a “No”, but it is another wait for people who do not have time.”
“I wish to speak about Skyclarys. Yesterday’s decision was disappointing. Any issue around health should also not be politicised. It is not helpful to patients. Clear and honest information needs to be relayed to patients. I had to speak to one politician who said that strings could be pulled for patients. These already upset people are being used. I have no time for it. There is no space for that in this Chamber. Yesterday’s decision was disappointing. It is not an outright “No” to Skyclarys. Instead, the HSE has referred it on for further consideration. It means the process is still alive. I am calling on the HSE to set out a clear and urgent timeline for the reimbursement of Skyclarys. People need to know the timeline. Families have already endured an extraordinarily long process.”
“If more staff and funding were allocated, the service would be much better for people. I will also follow up on the Beaumont surgical option. Will that be progressed? Does the Minister of State know anything about that?”
“I would like to know how much money is actually allocated to lymphoedema services. With regard to compression garments, many people do not realise that there is a need to replace them. I know several people who have worn the same one for years without realising that replacements are available from the State. Lymphoedema is not spoken about enough. It is one of those conditions that does not get an awful lot of attention but it can have an awful impact on people. When I started in the Seanad, I did not have it but then, one day, I noticed that one of my arms was bigger than the other. I have been managing the condition since. I have been getting great care in St. James's Hospital. The hospital is definitely understaffed, however. The service is under a huge amount of pressure.”
“I know that in Beaumont Hospital there was talk of examining the potential for advanced treatment options, specifically a lymphoedema surgical procedure for breast cancer patients. However, progress on that initiative seems to have stalled even though we have the expertise. I think the initiative lacked aftercare, which would have included healthcare providers such as physiotherapists. I ask the Minister of State to outline the measures that have been taken to improve education and awareness and to strengthen preventative care. Lymphoedema affects an awful lot of people but it is little spoken about.”
“Early identification and intervention can prevent lymphoedema progression and significantly improves outcomes. Education on lymphoedema is equally important for healthcare professionals such as GPs, public health nurses, physiotherapists and community healthcare teams. They must be equipped with the knowledge to recognise lymphoedema early, provide advice and ensure patients are referred promptly for specialist assessment and treatment. There is a pressing need to strengthen specialist lymphoedema services across the country. Many patients experience lengthy waiting lists or must travel considerable distances. We need an increased number of specialist staff, additional lymphoedema therapists and equitable access to services regardless of where a patient lives. Community-based supports are vital.”
“Women and men are living beyond cancer and they need ongoing information, reassurance and access to services when problems arise. Prevention and early intervention must become a real focus in our approach to lymphoedema care. Every breast cancer patient should receive clear and consistent information before and after surgery about the risk of developing lymphoedema and the steps that can be taken to minimise that risk. Patients should be educated about preventative measures such as maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in appropriate exercise, practising good skincare, reducing the risk of infection, avoiding trauma to the affected limb where possible and recognising early symptoms such as swelling, heaviness, tightness or discomfort.”
“I always knew that there was a risk I could develop lymphoedema because of the surgery I underwent as part of my breast cancer treatment. However, after 12 years I did not expect lymphoedema to develop. Like many patients, I believed the passage of time had significantly reduced my risk. To develop a lifelong condition so many years after treatment was very unexpected, distressing and emotionally challenging. Lymphoedema can cause swelling of limbs and people can become very self-conscious of their appearance when that happens. My own experience highlights an important reality that lymphoedema can develop many years after cancer treatment. The risk does not disappear with time and patients need to understand that from the outset. Education cannot stop when active treatment ends.”
“I am calling on the Minister to outline the measures that are being taken to improve access to lymphoedema services across Ireland, with a particular focus on prevention, education, early intervention and support for breast cancer patients. Lymphoedema, for anyone who does not know, is a chronic and progressive condition that affects thousands of people throughout Ireland. I know many people who developed the condition following their treatment for breast cancer, yet awareness of the condition is very limited. While we have made significant progress on breast cancer treatment and survival rates, a lot of patients continue to face barriers in accessing the information, services and supports they need to live well after treatment. Speaking from my personal experience, I know how traumatic and upsetting the development of lymphoedema can be.”
“I worked in a pub and used to smell of cigarettes coming home. I did not like the smell of them. The ban was brilliant. It took away the fashionable thing of having a cigarette in the pub and we need to do that with vapes. Kids these days are into the gym and keeping fit – I see that with my young fellow – but single-use vapes look like they are harmless. There is an education piece. I have no doubt that the Bill will be successful. Anything we can do to make vapes more difficult for kids to get their hands on is a win for me. On the Senator’s amendment, I think we will see the evidence on the roads, our parks and everywhere. We will see a decline in the packaging and the environmental hazard it creates.”
“I think that the Bill will be very successful in reducing the amount of people who vape. Single-use vapes are easily accessible for kids. They are something to grab. Kids are not going to get into the habit of charging vapes and so on but they can just grab a single-use vape and fling it away. Where we will see how it is working is when we take a walk in our local communities and we are not kicking vape packages out of our way. As a cancer survivor, I hate cigarettes and smoking. I never took up smoking because I was far too vain - I thought it would age me – so vanity saved me from that addiction. I understand that nicotine is an addiction. Senator Collins made me shudder when she said vaping was a part of our culture. I welcomed the smoking ban. The smoking ban was one of the single best things that ever happened in Ireland.”
“I have stood at the side of the road myself giving out about a particular junction that was narrowed. People do not feel heard when it comes to this. They feel like things are being pushed through without their feelings being heard.”
“During my time as a councillor, I was involved with Part 8 developments. I have huge respect for South Dublin County Council. To be parochial, these developments have transformed my area of Tallaght. We have fabulous parks. I was involved in a Part 8 process for an older persons' housing developments. The community's views were seen and heard. It is a lovely place to live. Those houses are like gold dust now. I really worry about the section 38 developments, particularly because councillors do not get to vote on it. It goes out to public consultation. People are just so annoyed in my area with all of the road works that are going on, all the roads being narrowed, all the disruption, yet the elected representatives do not get to vote on it. All they can do is point people towards a public consultation.”
“Does the Minister of State believe there is scope to strengthen transparency by requiring councils to publish a clear response explaining which recommendations were accepted, which were rejected, and the evidence supporting those decisions?”
“Equally, local residents often possess practical knowledge about traffic patterns, school travel, flooding, accessibility or road safety that may not be fully reflected in modelling exercises. If people believe their views are ignored regardless of the quality of their submissions, confidence in public consultation will decline. I ask the Minister of State to outline what measures are currently in place to assess the effectiveness of public consultation under Part 8 and section 38 procedures. Specifically, is there any national framework that measures whether public submissions have influenced final decisions? Are local authorities required to demonstrate how significant issues raised during consultation have been addressed?”
“Is every submission read individually? Are independent technical reviews ever commissioned where substantial evidence is presented? How often have public submissions resulted in significant amendments to a scheme? How many schemes have been materially changed following consultation? If hundreds of submissions raise the same issue, how is that reflected in the final recommendation? I think these are all very reasonable questions but I am unclear on the answers. Consultation is not simply about counting submissions for or against. A single, well-researched submission containing technical evidence may identify an issue that deserves serious consideration.”
“In the context of the Tallaght village enhancement scheme, where many residents, businesses and community stakeholders have expressed concern that they felt unheard despite making detailed submissions and attending the information sessions during the consultation process, I would like the Minister of State to outline whether consideration is being given to strengthening transparency and accountability and requiring local authorities to clearly demonstrate how issues raised through public consultation have influenced the final design and decision-making process. My concerns are not unique to one project. It is something I am hearing more and more in regard to the Part 8 planning process and the section 38 roads scheme throughout the country. People want to know how the submissions are assessed and who evaluates them.”
“I firmly believe that consultation should not become a box-ticking exercise where submissions are acknowledged but have little or no influence on the final design. The purpose of consultation is surely to improve projects by drawing on local knowledge, identifying unintended consequences and testing assumptions before decisions are finalised. I have recently received communication from people in Tallaght regarding the proposed Old Bawn Road active travel scheme in south Dublin. Whether people support or oppose elements of the scheme is not the point I am making today but what concerns me is that, while many people believe they will be raising significant issues, they may ultimately have very little bearing on the final decision.”
“It is great to see the Minister of State in here today. Across the country, local authorities are undertaking significant transport, cycling and public realm projects. These projects often have major implications for local communities, businesses, commuters and residents. Public consultation is presented as an opportunity for people to have their say. Citizens invest considerable time preparing detailed submissions, attending information events and engaging in good faith. However, many people increasingly feel that once a preferred option is published, the outcome is already decided. This perception is damaging, especially when people are being encouraged and given the option to give their input.”
“I have seen the odd interview on “The Late Late Show” and there are some amazing advocates, but the whole message, rightly so, is that if it is undetectable, it is untransmissible. That is so important. I am glad that we talk about stigma and shame, and that we are not allowing it and are pushing back against it. Progressive Ministers, like the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, do so much work on that. I know she and her team are working tirelessly. We have all the tools in Ireland. We have PrEP, we have condoms and we have access to testing, but we have to be timely and people have to be able to feel like they can access it without being judged. I do not think anybody should be afraid, whatever their status, to seek care or speak about their life.”
“Early diagnosis can prevent it being passed on, so early diagnosis is always best, but late-stage diagnosis is hopeful as well. What particularly jumped out at me was that the highest percentage of people who received late-stage diagnoses were over the age of 50, which would lean into the generation who were reared on shame, fear and embarrassment. That is what really frustrates me because it does not have to be like that. I met with the HIV Prevention Alliance whose representatives spoke about women being affected. I met a lady who had HIV. She only got diagnosed over the age of 50, which, again, in my lack of education, did not occur to me. There is definitely more of an education piece because I remember being younger and there was so much education and awareness. Things kind of went quiet.”
“I have very little time for anybody who puts shame on people for being who they are. I really have no time for that. We have said today that for too long, HIV and AIDS were surrounded by fear and silence. People's real stories never got to be told because of that and the silence kind of spoke. It is good that modern treatment has transformed this and that people can live long and healthy lives. I want to touch on the latest figures I could get when I was doing a little bit of research, which show that in 2024, 239 people received a first-time HIV diagnosis and 41% were receiving late-stage treatment. Even though it is late-stage treatment, this treatment is still effective. I would not have thought this because we are always told about early diagnosis.”
“I thank the Minister for being here today. She generously gives a lot of her time to the Seanad and it is very much appreciated. I welcome the opportunity to speak on Irish AIDS Day. Following on from many of the other speakers, I want to remember those we lost and reiterate that we stand with those who are living with HIV and that we are renewing our commitment to ending new HIV transmissions and tackling the stigma. I have listened to people speaking, especially Senator Clonan. The thing about shame is that I hate the word "shame". Shame is a killer and embarrassment is a killer. When people are made to feel shameful or embarrassed and they do not reach out and cannot be who they are, it is so wrong. I hope we have moved on. I think we have moved on to a certain extent.”
“Before we proceed, I welcome members of the Roscommon Older People's Council executive, who are guests of Deputy Martin Daly and Senator Gareth Scahill, their local Senator. I will also pass on commiserations to Paddy Joe Burke on Roscommon's loss.”
“This legislation will protect service users, support families and improve consistency across the country. It will also go some way towards strengthening public confidence in these services.”
“I also welcome the inclusion of services provided to children and young people. Families should have the confidence that quality and safety standards apply regardless of age. This Bill is an important step towards the Government's wider goal of developing a statutory home care scheme, as Senator Boyhan said. We know that people, for the most part, want to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. We also know that Ireland's population is ageing and that the demand for home support services will continue to grow in the years ahead. The Government has shown its commitment through significant investment in home support services. Funding has been increasing year after year but investment alone is not enough. We have to ensure that the services being funded are safe and accountable and of the highest quality.”
“Regulation means that the providers must meet national standards and be accountable for the quality of care they provide. The Bill makes it an offence for a provider to operate without registration, which is very important. It gives HIQA and the chief inspector of social services the power to inspect services, which is critical. They will be monitoring compliance, which is important. This is about protecting vulnerable people. People who are in need of care are vulnerable and it is important that a high standard of care is being delivered and being monitored. I welcome the fact that the Bill applies to all home support service providers, whether public, private, voluntary or not-for-profit. Everybody should be working to the same standards and every person receiving care should have the same protections.”
“Their job is difficult and what the carers who come into family homes go through is not highlighted enough. A patient can be having a really bad day and they can be abusive to their carers. They can be difficult and decide they do not like the carer for no reason but the carers just continue to show up. The carers who came to our family home, Ashley and Fernanda, were so good to my mam as well and that made my dad's last time on earth so much easier. The respect I have for carers is enormous. Regulation is so important. We struck gold with our carers but regulation will ensure that all people have a similar experience. Nursing homes and other health services are regulated and inspected but home support services have not had that same level of oversight, so standards can vary from one provider to another.”
“I welcome and support this Bill. It is simple in that it is just making sure that people who receive care in their own homes can be confident that the care they receive is safe, of high quality and properly regulated. Every day across Ireland thousands of older people and people with disabilities rely on their home care support services. These services help people with everyday tasks such as getting dressed, preparing meals and personal care, enabling them to remain independent in their own homes. For so many families home support is an essential service that allows their loved ones to remain in familiar surroundings and maintain their independence. My dad had dementia prior to passing and we availed of home care supports. The carers were just amazing. It was not always easy for them.”
“They are spending thousands in Tallaght narrowing our roads and junctions in housing estates unnecessarily. I walked around with a blind man in Tallaght. I asked Vincent not to be knocked down while he was with me. The audio at traffic lights was turned off. How are the man and his dog meant to know when to cross? DMURS drives me mad. I had to get that off my chest.”
“I thank the Minister of State. I now see where the problem lies. I want to put on the record that I have huge issues with the DMURS. They would be better placed, instead of narrowing roads and junctions and making them totally uncomfortable for people to drive on, to focus on tactile paving and to have a standardised approach in order that blind people can navigate their communities safely. DMURS needs to be revisited. I appreciate the Minister of State coming in and providing all the information but, at the end of the day, I walked around with a man who was blind and it was just unfair. There were all different styles. There should be one type of tactile paving. There should be an agreed style. DMURS needs to be revisited because it is not up to scratch if blind people are being let down.”
“Vincent himself has suggested that blind people should be involved in assessing and testing the different tactile paving designs before standards are adopted, ensuring that decisions are informed by those who rely on them every day. From speaking to Vincent, I know that among the blind and visually impaired community these concerns are widely shared. It is not an isolated issue affecting one individual; it is affecting thousands of them. A clear national standard should be incorporated into all new public realm projects, road upgrades and pedestrian infrastructure works. Over time, that would lead to greater consistency across the country and would ensure future generations of blind and visually impaired people encounter the same clear and reliable information when they travel. It is ultimately about safety, dignity and independence.”
“The difference between knowing and guessing is significant. It is the different between confidence and anxiety. It is the difference between independence and having to rely on assistance. It is ultimately a matter of safety. I understand technical considerations are involved and that achieving consistency nationwide cannot happen overnight. However, Ireland has standards for electrical installations, building regulations, road markings and countless other aspects of public infrastructure. It is very reasonable of me to ask whether the same approach should apply to tactile paving and dished crossings. If a national standard does not currently exist, I believe one should be developed in consultation with blind and visually impaired people. I can bring a lot of them to the table.”
“In his view, the height of the raised bumps and the spacing between them makes the surface much easier to identify underfoot. The tactile information is clear, distinct and immediately recognisable. He believes that this is exactly how tactile paving should function. When he stands on those slabs, he knows where he is and does not have to second-guess himself. By way of contrast, he showed me other locations where the tactile paving is so shallow or inconsistent that it provides little meaningful information. For people with conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, which can reduce sensation in the feet, this issue is even more significant and can go hand in hand with blindness. If tactile indicators are not sufficiently pronounced, they may fail to provide the information they were designed to communicate.”