Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair, Mr. Bollins, the committee clerk, and all of the staff here for all the work they have done and are still doing in preparing the report. I also wish to thank all of the witnesses who appeared before the committee and so many who shared their experiences, especially those who shared their lived experience. It is sometimes not easy to come in and talk about the difficulties and the challenges they face. They do it and open up their lives to us because they want to see positive change, not just for themselves but for everybody else.

This committee has done a great deal of work so far and I am very hopeful that the recommendations in the report which Mr. Gordon is putting together will be an excellent one - I am aware that a little bit more work has to be done on this - and that it will be adhered to. We need to see things moving forward, to see legislation and to see real constructive change made in how autism is viewed. It is not just about awareness but acceptance of autism in our society at all levels, among children, in education, in employment and in our community. Much work has to be done but a lot has been done, at the same time. We are on the right path and it is just a question of keeping on that path to see something really fruitful coming from this committee. I thank the Cathaoirleach.