Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am not a member of this committee and I am grateful to the Chair for allowing me in. I have engaged with Mr. Geary previously, but I had to come down to thank him for all of his work. I hope, as I am sure Mr. Geary does, no other parent would have to go through the fight he did for Calum. There is a question with regard to the approach of lawyering-up taken by Departments. This is a challenge throughout the system. It is present not just in the education system but also in health, especially when it comes to disability. The shift in disability to a rights-based approach will certainly be welcome, but I am sure Mr. Geary will agree that most families do not want to have to deal with the lawyers. They want none of that. Will Mr. Geary comment on the lawyering-up approach taken by the State? How should the State respond?