Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach and I welcome all of the witnesses to today’s meeting. I thank them very much for their contributions and time today also. I am also very glad to welcome such a broad variety of representatives here today carrying the voices of allies, advocates and activists with direct lived experience. That is very important to us as a committee. I thank the speakers from LEAP, from the National Platform of Self Advocates, the Irish Deaf Society and the Disability Federation of Ireland. Even from their diverse areas of expertise and focus, they are all united in their commitment to equal access and participation in public and political life.

Based on their very engaging contributions I have a few questions. Mr. McGrath made a very compelling argument around the blatant discrimination towards people with intellectual disabilities in the Electoral Act of 1992. I am curious to hear what the situation is or has he any knowledge of what happens in other European countries? Is Ireland, for example, an outlier in this regard and who should we be looking to for best international practice? I will stop there, Chairman, if Mr. McGrath perhaps wishes to reply but I also have two other points to make. Will I make them now, Chairman?