Ms Anna Levin:

Ms Dennehy said that any legal protection under disability law would need to encompass migraine because light sensitivity is not yet recognised. I draw attention to the social model of disability and how people can be disabled by their environment. There are people who are disabled by specific forms of lighting. Somebody mentioned CFLs earlier.

That is also problematic for many people who have no other physical issue or no precondition, but who have been disabled by the environment around them. That is something that needs to be taken seriously. It has been acknowledged in German law now. Precedents are coming.

I wanted to put the question to the committee. We were asked if we feel there is enough protection under Irish law. LightAware is a small charity run by volunteers. Most people are light sensitive and struggling with computers themselves. It is a question we have been trying to ask and find answers to for five years, whether there is any protection under Irish law for somebody who cannot work, cannot live without extreme pain and suffering, cannot travel, cannot access medical care, and really cannot function and do the basic things. I was moved when Ms Dennehy said she was unable to go to the park, to church or to visit her parents' grave. I am no expert in the law of any country but I would like to put that as a question. Is there any provision for the human rights of somebody who is disabled and tortured by lighting?