Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the representatives for their opening statement and responses. A chap is interning with me at present who is sight impaired. Eoin does my preparation with me for these meetings every week. I am always interested to hear what his view is, what he anticipates and what he would like to say. I will lead off on that and then go to my own questions. When Eoin came to intern in Leinster House, he had to do a walk-through with staff. He has an assistance dog so we had to cater for where the dog goes to the toilet and very practical things like that. I was incredibly impressed with the fact he had a bag containing a bottle of water and a collapsible bowl so Quest is well-catered for in our office, but these were things people did not think about. We did as much preparation as we could to make sure Eoin was set up in every way but he relied on using his own computer. We have to email things to him so his own software assists him in carrying out his role.

Eoin is going for another work experience opportunity in the next couple of weeks. In that context, that employer has put in handrails and has had to anticipate. He knows that employer is doing that at their own expense but the reimbursement process is a very long one and he wonders about the bar on that for small businesses. Does it become a deterrent, even if there is willingness to engage? Eoin's insights for our office are extraordinary, challenging and very good in shaking up our thinking and terminology. We have somebody on whom to sound off in respect of language and inclusivity. It is a valuable learning experience for me and those working with us. However, if a small business is inclined to be as inclusive as it can possibly be, there are then costs. That mechanism seems to be arduous and ridiculous. Is that a major impediment? Those are Eoin's questions. I will come back to the comments I would like to make.