Ms Sonya Felton:

On behalf of the Rehab Group, I thank the committee for inviting us to today’s considerations of the ICCPR. We intend to focus on the challenges faced with the implementation of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013 and the impact these will have on the State's obligations under Articles 14 and 16 of the ICCPR. Our submission was developed in consultation with members of the National RehabCare Advocacy Council, NRAC, a representative body of people using the services of RehabCare, the health and social care division of the Rehab Group. I am accompanied today by Mr. Aidan Hogan, chairperson of NRAC, and Mr. Francis Ducie, vice-chairperson.