Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss the participation of people with disabilities in political, cultural, community and public life. I extend on behalf of the committee a céad míle fáilte to Mr. Joe McGrath, vice chairman of the National Platform of Self Advocates. From the Irish Deaf Society, I welcome Ms Elaine Grehan, advocacy manager, Ms Lianne Quigley, chairperson, and Mr. John Sherwin, CEO. From LEAP, I welcome Ms Rachel Cassen, co-founder, and Ms Deirdre Fitzgerald-Graham, board member.

I remind members they are only allowed to participate in the meeting if they are physically within the precincts of Leinster House. In this regard if members are joining the meeting remotely I ask them to confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus prior to making a contribution to the meeting. As witnesses are accessing the meeting remotely due to the unprecedented circumstances, I ask anybody watching the meeting online to bear with us should any technical issue arise. I now invite Mr Joe McGrath to make his opening address.