Dr. Fergal Lynch:

My apologies. I tried to unmute unsuccessfully. I was just thanking Senator McGreehan for her questions and saying I agree implementation is so much about attitude, culture and positive engagement as opposed to box-ticking. Within our own Department, we are hugely bought-in to what we are trying to achieve and I get the same sense of buy-in from many other Departments. Obviously, Departments and agencies have huge agendas in other areas. The constant challenge is to persuade, cajole and encourage people to come along this road as well but, as Ms Gibney rightly said, this is the law and not some optional extra. It simply has to be done.

This implementation is about attitude. One of the things we are doing is that each Department is to have its own implementation actions and specified actions for implementation of the convention. It is not simply a case of doffing the cap or ticking a box. Each Department is identified as having its own specific areas it needs to deal with. They are engaged in a whole load of other areas but it is important they be encouraged and we will continue to encourage them.

In terms of equality budgeting, it is important to note a network of equality co-ordinators has been established in each Department and disability is a key strand for that and in terms of extracting and understanding the data and funding related to disability, this will be an important part of that process. I was struck by what Senator McGreehan said about being ambitious for the committee and it is good to hear that. As I think I noted at the beginning, this committee is a key element of the overall implementation process, because of the role of national parliaments in monitoring the implementation of the convention and acknowledging the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission's, IHREC, important independent role in that regard.

We have a good architecture in which to press ahead with implementation. The committee has, in this Department, a strong advocate for pushing ahead with implementation. I commit and I know my colleagues do also, to working closely with other Departments and agencies to implement the convention. The fact the convention is in existence has helped us move forward in terms of provisions within the assistant decision-making capacity legislation and the establishment of the disability participation consultation network, all of which were shaped by the convention. We are committed to continuing our work on implementation. We look forward to working with this committee in its important work.