Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the witnesses. It is informative and from the heart. It is a difficult situation to be in. Inclusiveness and equality are the main issues that should come out of this particular section. Most of the questions I wanted to ask have been asked. What came across in all of the witnesses' reports was stereotyping. I never thought about it until lately when I started looking at programmes and advertisements. As the witnesses said, it is about older people, funerals and aids to such and such a thing. Disability is the same thing. We have a problem that we have not got representatives. We do not have anything like that for people with disabilities or youth. One of the statements was that we seem to be complete outliers in this on a worldwide scale. We are losing the connection between our young people and our society. Young people are the future of society. It is the same for people with disabilities. They are portrayed as vulnerable and not being able to take part in society. As Dr. Casey said, this is the first time he has been in here as a representative. That is a shocking indictment. It is a shocking statement. What are the main barriers to each section getting proper representation? It was suggested that the policy could be changed whereby boards supported by the State and that receive money from the State should include each group. What do the witnesses feel about that? That would be a start. For example, the RTÉ board does not have representation from the Traveller, youth, or disability communities or people living independently. That is where we are falling down in a major sense. We do not seem to be listening at all. I hope people will now start to listen because it is important. The contribution to society of the groups represented by the witnesses is important. It is a question of not only inclusiveness but equality. Will the witnesses please speak about the barriers?