Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming in or logging on virtually today. It has been a most important discussion and it has been great to get a sense of where the witnesses are coming from.

The points Mr. Dolan just made in respect of Wicklow County Council are most interesting because if there is best practice, it is important that we learn from it on a national scale and build to roll it out nationally where it is appropriate to do so.

Another point he made, and indeed other contributors have touched on it already, concerns the Department of the Taoiseach taking a more proactive lead in effectively project managing not just the work of this committee but the implementation of the UNCRPD across different Departments. It is something we have discussed previously at this committee. We have spoken about the potential benefits of setting up a steering group that would have on it a representative from each Department that would set out its own objectives in terms of delivering on the UNCRPD commitments and objectives and report to us on a quarterly basis. If we had something like that, that was cross-departmental in nature, with the backing of the Taoiseach, and most importantly, with goals and targets and a structure whereby it did not necessarily set deadlines but reported on a quarterly basis, as everybody would want to deliver a good update. If we had that, we could create more impetus around ensuring that each of the different Departments is bringing this to its top table and is always considering whether policies are inclusive and how they will work from a disability perspective. We should be encouraging them to always ask those questions and to strive to achieve their objectives under the UNCRPD.

Ms Dempsey spoke well about congregated settings and where we are - or indeed, where we are not - when it comes to progress in that area. I was interested to hear her remarks about the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. I know that my colleague, Senator Seery Kearney has touched upon that issue and on what amendments to the legislation might be required. It is something on which all of us here from the different parties must work on a cross-party basis to ensure that when the laws come in, they are as strong and practical as possible and can be implemented.

The discussion has been most welcome. Ms Browne and Dr. McCarthy have made really interesting points. It has been hugely welcome to have this level of discussion around the issues. I know that from Ms Browne's perspective, the network that she is hoping will make a significant difference to the sector requires resourcing and will require funding. That message was heard by me loud and clear - that is for sure. I thank her for all of her work. I would like to hear some more about what is happening in Wicklow County Council to enable us to encourage our local authorities to take a leaf out of its book.