Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the representatives of the coalition and thank them for their presentations. There are experts on this committee, such as Senator Conway, who are better placed than me to speak on this issue. Like Deputy McLellan, I was shocked to find that 75% of blindness or sight loss is unnecessary. Loss of sight is probably one of the most emotional and frightening things that can happen to a person. My family was concerned when my sister had a huge problem with her sight last year. We are all pleased that her sight was saved because she got medical attention at the time it was needed. I compliment the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind charity, which does a wonderful job. When I was Lord Mayor of Dublin, I had an opportunity to visit its centre and to speak to its volunteers, who are totally committed to training the guide dogs and supporting those who will need them in the future. I have read the assessment and would like to ask two questions about the eight principles set out in it. First, can the witnesses elaborate on the third principle, which states that services should be person centred? Second, can they give us an idea of the kind of research they believe should be prioritised? I ask these questions as someone who knows nothing about these matters.