Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise. I was next door at the Select Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage and I missed the Minister's opening remarks. I thank him for being here and giving us the update on 2022. I recognise the considerable body of work that was involved in the legislative programme for last year, not just when it comes to the matters pertaining to this committee, but all of the work the Minister's Department has done through challenging times in the past 12 months in particular.

The new national disability strategy and the optional protocol, which we are sick of talking about at this committee and really wish to see it happen, and the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act have all been key objectives of the Minister's Department and this Government. That is right because we wish to make sure we support people with disabilities in whatever way possible. We hear all the time in this committee about the lived experience of people who need the State's support but who, in an awful lot of circumstances, feel they cannot rely on it. That is a failing by us as a Government and a State.

We wish to make sure the legislation is there in order that every decision, appeal and service is underpinned by legislation that puts people to the forefront. On top of that we need to make sure the legislation is fit for purpose. An awful lot of work went in to the legislative programme last year and I acknowledge considerable further work will be involved this year.

I thank the Minister for his statement, which I read, but missed in person. I wish to hear from him about the 2023 priorities and agendas and how his Department can work with this committee. We are an unusual committee in that most of the committees I sit on are synced to a Department and a Minister. This committee straddles all Departments because, ultimately, what we need is a whole-of-government approach to make sure we are putting all disability matters to the forefront of the legislative agenda. It is not just about putting disability matters to the forefront in legislation but to enact it throughout Departments, because that is how we have a genuine impact on people's lives.

Will the Minister give us an indication as to what lies ahead for 2023? Deputy Cairns focused on the protocol as well. We at this committee talk about it ad nauseam. We are frustrated about it and wish to see further progress.