Her concern has come to light following reports that people with disabilities became "trapped" in Leinster House after a lift broke down.
Reports over the weekend that a group of people with disabilites were left "trapped" after a lift broke down at Leinster House have come as no surprise to a local disability activist.
Members of the HSE Gold Star Disability Awareness Training Programme, along with volunteers from Tipperary, visited Leinster House last June at the invitation of an Oireachtas member.
In a follow-up email, according to journalist Ken Foxe, the group reported that the room used for their training session was inaccessible "on multiple levels of disability access."
The email further stated: "The lift to offer access to the lower corridor en route to the restaurant broke down when we had five people safely down, leaving others stranded at the top."
Speaking to Kfm, Niamh Herbert from Sallins, who has visited Leinster House on many occasions, said she also experienced difficulties while visiting.
She said her wheelchair is "small and compact" and she still had difficulty accessing basic facilities in the building, including toilets.
She said she could not turn her wheelchair around in one of the toilets she used.
She said the public often hears stories of new carpets being laid and rooms being painted at Leinster House but there is never much meaningful change in terms of accessibility for people with disabilities.
She questioned how people with disabilities can feel inspired to pursue a career in politics when access to the Oireachtas is difficult for them.
Some signs on toilets at Leinster House that claimed they were accessible have been removed.
It's also understood that a new accessible toilet project has been completed but plans for a new lift are nowhere near complete.
Kfm Obituary Notices
Sharp Rise In M9 Collisions With Garda Call-Outs Up Year-On-Year
Councillor Seeks Clarity On How Often Nightclubs and Late Bars In Naas Are Inspected For Fire Risks
Unpaid Eight-Month Work And Training Placement For Adults With Disabilities Branded "Extremely Unfair"
Department Of Education Defends Kildare SNA Cuts Amid Claims Of Reduced Need At Some Schools
Naas Nurses Threaten Escalation As Staffing Row Deepens
Driving Tests Face Disruption As RSA Testers To Strike Next Week
