Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The presentations and this discussion have given us a lot of food for thought. I reiterate what has been said about the optional protocol and I know that we are all in full agreement about the matter.

I took on board what Ms Hassett said about support for consultation with this committee. Due to the leadership of the Chair, this committee prides itself in hearing the lived experience of people with disabilities. In our meeting yesterday, we had, I think, 110 presentations from people who live with disabilities, and that is hugely important. The point has been well made that there can be a difficulty around consultation. We need to acknowledge and support all consultation either at this committee and at whatever level of consultation or committee.

I found it interesting to hear from Mr. Halpin about the process. Disability proofing is hugely important as a means to ensure proper policies are put in place. Without the correct data and disability proofing there will be ongoing discrimination, unintentional as that may be in a lot of cases. It was interesting to hear about the gaps outlined by Mr. Halpin. I thank him for doing so and for saying that the situation will be rectified.

In terms of people aged under-65 in nursing homes, the committee spent quite a bit of time talking about that last week.

Time and again, we come across the lack of awareness and supports particularly for those with acquired brain injuries as well as for those diagnosed with an intellectual disability that is not captured in the intellectual disability database. Of course, that is without talking about those in wheelchairs. It is hugely important that we get that right in the next census.

I have questions for the different groups but I would turn first to Mr. Halpin on how the CSO now complies with internationally accepted norms and ethical principles in the collection, use of data and the balance between the need for privacy and data protection.