Ms Renee Dempsey-Clifford:

I thank the Senator for his kind opening remarks. He is familiar with the DSG. I will quote back what I said earlier, because I think it touches exactly on what he is speaking of. The delivery of disability policy must have "human rights at its core, and for it to be realised, it must have political commitment and leadership at the highest level that are cascaded down to all members of the public service". The experience of the DSG is that the disability dossier, if I may use that word, can be a low priority in Departments that do not see it as theirs. The health model is much more in the minds and hearts of those who are supposed to be delivering this policy, than the social model. I am drawing on DSG statements, and it is not personal.