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

I thank Mr. O'Reilly and Ms Kenny for their contributions. I listened to their evidence and to members. This discussion is one of the most powerful to be held in the Houses today. At times, I challenge the media about the coverage it gives to heartfelt stories like the ones our witnesses have given us. They showed courage in putting their personal stories on the public record and did so with dignity, passion and succinctness. Their evidence this morning has been about their voices not being heard, there being hoops to jump through and boxes to tick, the advocate and the mother. We should never be afraid to thank the mothers in particular, but the parents of Ireland who are doing so much in terms of advocacy, dedication to their families and trying to advance their children's causes and make life better for those who follow. We should always acknowledge that.

We must bear in mind the motion that was tabled at Cavan County Council and across the country, the level of commitment and the need to see how we can address the various challenges.

Regarding the point made about the carer's allowance, I made the point last week in the Dáil that the means assessment should be replaced by a needs assessment if care is being given. That is the real challenge - making sure people are respected and acknowledged.

Regarding the points made about PA services and the HSE, we hope the HSE will appear before us at some stage in the near future so we can challenge it on the issues, the rigidity and the paralysing of the system for some small change - someone who is living 100 yards from one county being bounced to the other and travelling. We need a common-sense approach and someone needs the authority to make a common-sense decision.

We have an awful lot of work to do. We discuss the UNCRPD every week, which is a fine document, but the lived experiences of people with disabilities and their families in our country are what should drive us every day. As other members have said, this committee hopes to try to advance the witnesses' causes and the causes of people with disabilities and will continue to do so. I know all members have very busy schedules. They are running in and out of the Dáil to take questions or are going into the Seanad for quorums and Commencement matters. However, by and large, all of them stayed on the call this morning because of the powerful testimony given and I thank them for that. We have an awful lot of work to do. I thank Mr. O'Reilly and Ms Kenny for their powerful evidence this morning. I hope we get some coverage of what this committee is trying to do. I again thank the members for their dedication and passion for what we are trying to do. We will continue to do that. Our team will keep everything running.