Ms Frances Quan Farrant:

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. I will respond to the Deputy's question about international best practice. As someone who has been in DPOs for a decade or more, if there is a phrase I dislike, it is "best practice". How can I compare best practice in Australia and Europe, specifically Ireland? I cannot. Australia is a country and continent with a population of 25 million, 5 million of whom are people have disabilities. They are spread across urban, rural, regional and remote areas. When I say remote, I mean seriously remote. We cannot even apply a best practice concept in our own country. We cannot and should not do so because there is no one-size-fits-all model. Disability is not an homogenous thing. It is a diverse thing that is part of the human experience. I would go one step further and say we should move beyond the social model of disability and into the human rights model of disability. Considerations of best practice should bring one straight back to the UNCRPD and all policies, procedures, protocols and legislation, all of which should be applied specifically for Ireland with full direct and funded consultation with Irish DPOs.