Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming in this morning and giving such effective presentations. Like the Chairman, I was not aware of the extent to which deaf people have been subjected to extreme marginalisation, as we heard in the presentation. That is why I think it is so worthwhile that the witnesses are here. I thank Senator Daly for the work he has done in this area. My party will be supporting the legislation he has proposed. The Government has indicated that it will ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the end of this year. Everyone in the Oireachtas should be holding the Government to that commitment. I would appreciate it if the witnesses could respond to three questions. First, Dr. Conama mentioned that there has been a historic bias against sign language. Why does he think that has been the case? Second, how early should deaf children learn sign language? My third and final question might be an indication of my ignorance in this regard. Is there a difference between Irish Sign Language and other forms of sign language throughout the world? If users of Irish Sign Language go to other countries, can they communicate as effectively as the witnesses have been able to communicate with us today?