John Dolan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am very happy to have the opportunity to welcome the European Ombudsman to this committee. Interestingly enough I was in the Seanad this morning dealing with the progress of a report called Too Old to be Elderly and the mobility allowance. I had the support of the Leas-Chathaoirleach who was chairing that session.

Deputy Seán Haughey spoke about issues in Hungary, Poland and other countries. I have a particular interest in people with disabilities of whom there are 80 million across the European Union. The experiences and expectations are very different in member states. I am familiar with this from my own work, and I know the European Ombudsman would have some sense of this from her involvement with the various European disability organisations and the European social platform. There are real concerns about the growth and the development of civil society groups, but my major issue is with the groups related to disability.

Ms O'Reilly's particular work is about ensuring that European institutions are more effective, transparent and open, as well as protecting people's fundamental rights. Will she comment on the role that civil society organisations can play in member states given the right environment? From talking to colleagues in certain member states, I know they feel quite vulnerable trying to do their advocacy work and that they are being watched critically. A strong civil society movement, where people get organised, involved and criticise their governments, is important as part of one of the bedrocks of developing a strong, cohesive and socially progressive European project.