Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I will keep my questions brief to leave time for answers. I have four, if there is time to get to them.

First, how can we truly ensure participation for people with disabilities? With the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, what is the best way to ensure that happens effectively? Second, how can people with disabilities be put at the centre of our response to Covid-19 and, going forward, the climate emergency? Third, and perhaps this is for the Spanish Senate, I am wondering if members could discuss their experience of ratifying the optional protocol at the same time as the implementation of the convention. I am wondering how this benefited people with disabilities and the progress on the convention.

Finally, I am wondering what the impact of Ireland not ratifying the optional protocol is. Some of the statements and submissions referenced the increase in poverty and disproportionately higher rates of poverty for people with disabilities. I am wondering how that will have an impact.