Mr. Chris Hoey:

Deputy Keaveney had several very relevant points and questions with regard to the next steps, roll-out of the guidelines and so on. We have 57 centres throughout the country. The key for this document to work is that it is not an IWA national policy document or a document of this committee; it is something that has to be owned, lived and breathed at local level. That means staff from our local centres interacting with local architects and builders and, most important, with staff in local authorities. It is about building relationships in order that when there is a building project, those involved in designing and building it do not come to the IWA by exception, rather it is part of what they do. That is what I mean by systemic change. Access should not be an add-on or extra but very much part of the process of planning any project.

We endorse what the Deputy said about the cost when something goes wrong. It is far less costly to get it right at the beginning. The Aviva Stadium is a wonderful example of that and is on a par with any stadium in the world when it comes to accessibility. It was the people around the table with me and in the Gallery who engaged with the builders and architects on that project and made it happen. It is an example of doing it right, which ensures there is cost-effectiveness.

The local launches showed how we intend to roll this out. More than 1,000 people took part in that initiative, the majority of whom were not aware of the national launch in the Aviva Stadium. The access strategy is now on the table of a range of local decision-makers, but we need to build on that. The plan we are trying to put in place involves a number of levels of access supports, from local to regional to national level. The objective is to have an access response available for people at the most local level. It will not work if people come to me. They need to approach their local centre.

Deputy McLellan asked for an example of best practice internationally. There are different examples in different parts of the world, and our guidelines have unashamedly incorporated the best of them. In terms of how we use them, I would point to the Aviva Stadium as an example of a facility of the highest standards. It is about working together on planning and then bringing the concept into reality.

I will ask my colleagues to comment on the question regarding the obstacles people face in their communities. It might be nice for members to hear a different voice.