Dart announcements are not intrusive. They are necessary and beneficial

Sir, – In response to Maeve Edwards’s letter of August 7th, I would like to clarify why on-board audio announcements on the Dart – and across all public transport networks – are both necessary and beneficial. Her concerns relate to their frequency, repetition and bilingual format. These features are not arbitrary. They are grounded in statute and designed to meet the needs of a diverse travelling public. Under the Official Languages Act 2003 (as amended in 2021), all public‑facing audio announcements made by State bodies must be delivered either in Irish alone or in Irish and English. Given the linguistic reality of the country, bilingual announcements are the only practical way to meet this legal obligation. More importantly, regular real‑time audio updates are essential for passengers with additional needs. Transport operators work closely with disability advocacy groups to ensure that services are designed within a rights‑based inclusion model. For passengers with physical, sensory, cognitive or intellectual disabilities, regular and predictable audio information is not a convenience but a vital accessibility tool.In busy and complex transport environments, clear step‑by‑step guidance supports independence, safety and confidence. A further point often overlooked is literacy. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 21 per cent of adults in Ireland are deemed to have “low literacy proficiency”. For these passengers, written displays may be difficult to interpret. Audio announcements therefore act as an essential communication channel, ensuring that one in five adults are not excluded from using public transport independently.Far from being intrusive, these announcements ensure that public transport remains genuinely accessible. For some, they may be deemed a legal requirement; for others, a connection to our national language; and for many, they are the difference between independence and exclusion. – Yours, etc,STEPHEN COOKE,Rolling stock engineer,Transport Infrastructure Ireland,Dublin 8.