Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I strongly advise that we ratify this and get on as much as possible. We already have some elements in place, which is good. Importantly, Ms Guinan indicated that the board of the NDA has a majority of people with disabilities, their representatives, families and carers. I welcome this important step. That is not the case for many organisations dealing with disability or service organisations. I urge that this point be considered in a national disability strategy, especially if it takes in mainstreaming or including people. We recently witnessed a row at the Central Remedial Clinic at Clontarf. It has a brilliant new board but there is a lack of people with disabilities on that board. I welcome that the NDA has a majority of such people, and although that is refreshing, we must up our game with the issue. I urge the NDA to focus on that as a broad policy issue.