Mr. Ciar?n Delaney:

Let me tell Senator McGreehan something better. I went into Cork City Council with a planning issue and I was abused from a height. It takes a lot to knock me but I was reduced to tears as a result of the way I was treated. The Cathaoirleach has known me for a long time and to reduce me to tears takes a lot. That is the quality of what we are doing.

Attitude was mentioned and I referred to people trending on Twitter. I will upset a hell of a lot of people but it has to be said. It is amazing how fast everybody jumped when legislation on hate speech was brought in. I have lots of friends in the LGBT community. Is it not amazing that training and handbooks on awareness can be brought into An Garda Síochána with the click of a finger but not when it comes to the disabled community?

When Jim Meade, the chief executive of Irish Rail, was brought before the transport committee he gave a brilliant answer. Deputy Feighan was there. Mr. Meade did the Tom Cruise thing of asking the committee to show him the money. He said if he was given the money, he would make his network accessible. Irish Rail has a report setting out how much it would cost to make its whole system accessible. Guess what. You can find money for everything. Irrespective of their political party, how about the next time Members stand up in the Seanad or Dáil they start fighting? It is a Twitter and social media-driven agenda.

We spoke about bringing people into the Houses. The last superintendent in here, Colm O'Rourke, was one of the most empowering people you could meet. A Member wanted me to come into the Oireachtas and replicate the role I had with John Dolan. In other words, it would be voluntary and I would be available to all Members. It would be the same role as I had. The Oireachtas authorities refused to issue me with a pass because they only issue them to full-time employees. I am willing to come up here and be a resource for everyone. I worked with Deputy Ellis. Many times I have gone up to the fourth and fifth floors for tea. I have gone up to the Fianna Fáil floors with former Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony and other Members. I have spoken to Senator McGreehan a number of times. I am always available at the end of the phone for everyone. That is the disablist attitude. We just need to up our game. If people are coming in here and are willing to do that, Members should accept it because they will only get that from the voice of the lived community.

It was mentioned that officials from various Departments had appeared before the committee. I respectfully suggest that the committee invite them back after the summer recess. The five of us will also come back. The committee should also bring in Robert Watt from the HSE. I guarantee the members that while Mr. Watt may think he can carry on with certain issues, he will learn in a polite, respectful manner why we feel so frustrated and held back.

I will say something about the Cathaoirleach. He knows me and knows that I say it as I see it. He has been nothing but supportive, respectful and open. I am being honest when I say I am glad he is in the role he is in. When we mentioned this to him, he was open, as was the Leas-Chathaoirleach, and had no issue with listening to the voice of the individual person. However, I would ask him to stop bringing the same organisations before the committee. Bring in people who have lived experience. It would be an interesting exercise for the committee to check with all the different bodies because it would find it is always the same people in them. It is like a mafia. It is the same sort of circle.

I thank the committee members for their time. The main thing I have been asked to speak about is education, Féach and the issues that are there. Digital papers were supposed to be introduced for examinations. They have been withdrawn and a convoluted excuse was given. I ask each member to open examinations.ie, not on their phones but on a desktop or laptop. Senator McGreehan has the website open. What is the interface like?