Dr. Aideen Hartney:

I agree with Ms Gibney about the barriers to ratification of the optional protocol. Our understanding is that the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, wants to go through the first reporting cycle. Where there are amendments or adjustments to Ireland's procedures to be made then they can all be made at the one time. There are aspects of the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill that should address some of those things. The Government's preferred approach is to have everything in place before we ratify the optional protocol, but we would advise that prompt attention be given to it.

In terms of approaches for greater inclusiveness, it would remiss of me if I did not plug universal design. The universal design of procedures, policies, premises and communication styles will help to ensure that situations are created so that people with disabilities can make an input and join processes in a way that accommodates their various needs. Again, there is guidance and toolkits.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is establishing the participation network. While the first duty of that network may be to consult on the State party report, we would urge that it becomes a long-standing mechanism and that it is not just for that Department to interact with but for all committees and all branches of Government and public bodies to interact with that network so that it hears directly from people with disabilities about the issues that impact on them.