Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is my first time attending this committee, so I wish you, Chairman, and the committee well in the work you do. As the only Member of the Oireachtas with a declared physical disability and a Senator in my third term, I think the establishment of the committee is very welcome and I hope we will see benefits from the work it does.

I have a couple of questions. I thank the contributors. It very interesting to listen to the international perspective on this. I was struck by a comment made earlier about how poor Ireland is in respect of employment of people with disabilities, and that is true. We have an appalling record in that regard. Education and employment are intrinsically linked. Is there an example internationally of near full participation of people with disabilities in integrated education which then leads on to a better prospect of employment? I would like to know whether there is an example of good education which has led on to good-quality employment.

As for the review of the UNCRPD, I note the EDF is essentially monitoring it and picks a different topic each year. It was Covid last year. Are there other NGOs that do similar monitoring? I am thinking in particular of the Zero Project, which holds a conference in Vienna every year. Is that part of the EDF's network, or how does that work? I would be concerned if there were a plethora of organisations monitoring but not working together on this.

Does the EDF have any statistics on the number of policymakers across Europe who have a declared physical disability? I am referring to people who participate in other European countries. Our system is PR-STV, so our Parliament is very much elected by the people. The Seanad is elected in part by county councillors and Members of the Oireachtas. There are list systems in many countries. Is there an area where the witnesses see best practice and where the list system is used to put people with physical disabilities into positions of influence? If so, has that resulted in a better and a more equal politics? Those are just some reflections on my thought process from what I have heard so far today. I would like to hear our guests' views on those points.