Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for being late. I thank the witnesses for the work they are doing. They made the relevant point that we need to take a collective and collaborative approach to highlighting this issue and putting it on the agenda. I know we have people in the room from Down Syndrome Ireland. I am involved with the Cope Foundation in Cork. We all need to channel our energies to put this on the agenda and keep it there. There is a role for public bodies and the State to be visible in raising that profile, appointing people and creating the opportunity and space through public policy. I thank the Acting Chairman. I apologise for being late.