Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste. I completely concur with his comment that the criteria are too narrow. That could be part of the problem why the recruitment of five people for the board is proving to be, and has proved to be, so difficult over the past two years. That could be the kernel of the issue. We also need to look at the massive workload it entails. If five people are recruited to roles on the board, I believe it takes a quorum of three for the appeal hearing. That needs to be looked at and some sort of efficient mechanism put in place to assist people who agree to join the board.

I want to make the point that my constituents who have contacted me about this are frustrated. It is not good enough. We want to move forward with rights for disabled people. We have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. That was not before time, and we were one of the last countries to do so. We need to move forward and make sure our words match our actions. I welcome that the Tánaiste has said he will engage. It needs an urgent intervention and it has to be made a priority.

See this speech in context