Ms Anna Levin:

I will respond with and for Ms Dennehy.

I think Ms Dennehy is asking for something very specific in this instance, that is, help with dealing with these traffic lights and displays which are described as the last straw for someone whose life has been ever more restricted. We have been in touch with Ms Dennehy for about five years and we have just seen how that noose has been tightening and that pressure has been increasing. She had to move out of town because of the streetlights. She could not go out because of the neighbouring lights. Now she cannot get out of where she lives because of these traffic lights. She is quite clear what she needs is help and a mechanism by which the older version of these lights and displays can be retained in the area around her and that there is support and advocacy for that.

That is one specific request but it is part of a bigger issue, namely, acknowledging Ms Dennehy is light-disabled and that light is a disability issue. People like her are unable to work, socialise, access education or healthcare or really participate in society. We are in touch with people all over the world. In some countries, like Britain where I am, people are using the Equality Act, in some areas, to access and retain the lighting they need. In Germany it has now been acknowledged as a disability and one individual has been given assistance so that if he cannot drive, he can be taken or accompanied to places. This is a really big issue that is happening all over the world. I feel what Ms Dennehy needs most is advocacy and a mechanism she can go to for support and to find how she can get help because, as the representatives of the Irish Thalidomide Association said, it is not always for the people suffering to be the ones campaigning. People who cannot use computers or smartphones like Ms Dennehy especially need somebody they can go to when they have a problem with something who will help access the help they need.