Ms Léan Kennedy:

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and its clients welcome the opportunity to voice their concerns regarding the Bill to Deputies and Senators. We are partnering with the NCBI and the Irish Wheelchair Association in our position paper in response to the Bill. As such, my opening statement will focus on two key areas of concern for our clients, namely, the need for restrictions with regard to e-scooter use on footpaths, shared spaces such as dual cycle lanes and other pedestrianised areas and the need for provisions in the Bill with regard to insurance and minimum age limits.

In our more than 40-year history, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, quite simply, has worked to change lives. In the past year we have provided 34 guide dogs to people who are blind or vision impaired and 43 assistance dogs to families of children with autism. These highly trained, reliable and sociable working dogs help our clients to move independently and freely in their communities, to get to work and to socialise. My apologies, I need a moment.