Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I was once where Ms Gaynor and Mr. Kenny are now, that is, campaigning, lobbying, begging and pleading for basic human rights. As a member of the Traveller community, I know how exhausting it can be sitting around these tables and not feeling heard. Ms Gaynor said that she is sick and tired of what has been happening.

Last May I attended the Independent Living Movement's #PASNOW campaign. It is almost a year later and what has changed? When Ms Gaynor was speaking I felt the emotion. I had to go out for a minute to calm down before I came in to speak to the HSE and the organisations and people that are here. Very little has changed. I had not prepared this question, but I need to ask it. Who is held accountable for the way people with disabilities are being failed? When we talk to the HSE, it is not its fault. It is not the State's fault. Whose fault do the witnesses believe it is? Someone is at fault for not meeting the needs of people with disabilities. Every one of the Members of these Houses has a PA. I have dyslexia and there is no way I would be able to do my job as well without the good person I have with me. She does not tell me what to do or how to do it but she supports me when I ask her for support. People with disabilities are looking for that support to be able to live a free life. We are seeing here today the failures in human rights and equality for people with disabilities. We do not talk about people with disabilities when we are considering the housing crisis, in the same way as we do not talk about members of the Traveller community. Today must be a very sad day for some people who are renting, who are disabled and who are looking for services. We continue to fail people but no one is held accountable. That is my question to the HSE. Who is accountable? If it is not the HSE, who should we be holding to account for not upholding human rights and equality on the grounds of disability?

Mr. Walshe spoke about the new working group that has been set up by with the HSE. My other question relates to ensuring disabled people's organisations, DPOs, are consulted. Which organisations are involved in this working group and how did the HSE approach them?

I do not have any other questions that have not been asked. What struck me last year was that a person gets a personal assistant for 45 minutes a day. The Government and the HSE can pat themselves on the back and say they are doing a great job because of those 45 minutes per day.

I have a friend, Dr. Rosaleen McDonagh. I hope she does not mind me saying this. She comes before this committee, the Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. She brings a personal assistant with her. She absolutely loves her fashion. She is a human being. She is entitled to dress how she wants and to go out if she wants to go out. She would be the first to say that she would not be able to live her life without her personal assistant, PA. How do we fix it? Who is to be held responsible and how do we fix this? This committee needs recommendations from the HSE, from allies and organisations and from professionals, who are the people who have gone through it. We need to hear from them. I could say a hell of a lot more but I would be in very big trouble if I did. I will just calm down a little and take a step back.