Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses and thank them for coming in. Ms Lennon was talking about health screening for people with a disability, and suggested providing information in more accessible formats. Could she give us more detail and maybe a few suggestions on that?

My other questions have to do with the ratification of the convention. I have been the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on disability since roughly this time last year and I am green in the face from trying to get the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath to go ahead with ratification. The witnesses do not find it acceptable either, of course. Do they have any other suggestions for getting this to move a bit faster? Is there anything they or I can be doing?

The convention does not specifically define disability or persons with disabilities. However, it provides for the abolition of certain laws and regulations. Do the witnesses believe that these recommendations are viable and transparent, given that the terms have not been defined from the outset? Would we run into difficulties because of this? The convention would have to be monitored nationally and internationally. Do the witnesses think that the State is adequately prepared to comply with its terms, specifically with the requirement for periodic reporting? The convention does not introduce any new human rights, but provides clarity on what is already there. While no change can be made to the convention now, do the witnesses see any way around this issue?