Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----because there are also structural issues with electric vehicles that make it difficult. That is something we will have to look at.

I was very heartened to see how the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, responded to Leigh Gath and the issue she had in importing a vehicle which could only be modified in London. I had the opportunity at the national commemoration in Cork to thank the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, for the intervention he undertook. I said to him, "Thanks very much for doing that" and he said, "It was the right thing to do - we had to do it". Again, that is evidence of a growing awareness in all of Government that this is a fundamental human rights issue. I took great comfort and encouragement from that.

I have a question for Mr. O'Shea about the evidence-based project he is undertaking. I thank him for all the work he did in preparing the report. Has he identified a jurisdiction - no pressure now - that does this patchwork quilt of communication requirements well, or in a way that is heading towards well? Is there a jurisdiction within the European Union or elsewhere that would be a good model of practice in that regard?

Senator McGreehan asked the Minister of State about scorecards. I know the Chair advised her not to comment on that before the budget. We had the National Disability Authority, NDA, and the disability stakeholder group in. They have published reports that show a sluggishness - the term they use is "foot dragging" - on the part of many Departments. Both of the reports were quite poor. I wonder if the Minister of State thinks that if we fully ratify the UN convention, including the optional protocol, rather than waiting for us to satisfy the requirements of the UNCRPD as set out in the programme for Government, it might be a useful sort of carrot - I do not want to say "stick" - to compel Departments. I know the Minister of State has had personal experience of agents of the State who refuse to do what she asks them to do. I asked the Taoiseach last week when he came into the Seanad if he would make a commitment to fully ratifying the convention and I believe he said he would look into it. Will the Minister of State encourage him?