Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is self-advocacy fatigue. I know many people who do not speak up in their workplaces. They are well able to do it, but they have retreated because of the backlash over being perceived as awkward when they would only be asking for what was normal and right.

It is clear that there is also consultation fatigue. We all feel it. Judging by the Government's website, there are probably thousands of public consultations ongoing. I might stand to be corrected, but I believe the principles and guidance relating to public consultation were written in 2014. The committee could take up this matter, as 2014 was four years before we ratified the UNCRPD.

Perhaps the committee could ask the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to review those. If public bodies and Departments are using these outdated principles and guidance, the voices of the people we want heard will not be heard. On that note, what infrastructural changes to those public consultations can we advocate for on the witnesses' behalf? Ms Hassett and Nem spoke about building the capacity of DPOs. How would that be built in to public consultations? Should every public consultation have a person available to ensure the voices of DPOs, groups and advocates are heard?

Nem gave part of an answer to my next question in a previous contribution. There are so many flawed policies because the voices that we want to be heard are not heard and because of ableist attitudes and polices. There are blatant and obvious things that are not heard. What are the consequences for disabled women when those voices are not heard and ableist policies and attitudes trump others?