Mr. John Dolan:

Ms Carthy and I are very happy to be here today. The Disability Federation of Ireland absolutely appreciates the invitation to present on what we regard as a cornerstone commitment for the advancement of equal societal participation for disabled persons not only in Ireland but also across the world.

Ms Carthy was a member of the DFI delegation that participated in the fifth European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities, EPPD, last May. On 23 May, the EPPD adopted the European Disability Forum, EDF, manifesto on the European elections of 2024. Ireland had 13 delegates, just as we have 13 MEPs. They were selected from a group of 59 who sought to participate. The 13 participated in the work on the draft EDF manifesto and commented on it, and they have all offered to participate in respect of the forthcoming European Parliament elections.

DFI led a delegation to the fourth EPPD in December 2017. I take this opportunity to mention a member of the delegation who passed away earlier this year, namely Gerry Ellis. Gerry was a lifelong disability activist who made a strong contribution.

DFI has consistently been active at European and international levels through its participation in the UN Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights Of Persons with Disabilities, COSP. We have participated in its annual meetings as well as through the EDF. During the 2019 COSP, we hosted a workshop entitled ,"How to Make Disability Votes Count", partnered by the EDF and the European Economic and Social Council, EESC. Article 29 of the UNCRPD, which is at the centre of our discussion and concerns participation in political and public life, is the foundation and compass that energises and steers the work for us.

The committee's invitation referred to the EU strategy contained in Union of Equality: Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030. The committee noted that the EU is renewing its commitment to ensuring the equal participation of people with disabilities in the forthcoming European Parliament elections, which it refers to as "this major political event". It is such an event.

The EDF published Human Rights Report on Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities in 2022. It is a valuable and up-to-date outline of the issues. Chapter 3, on the right to vote in and stand for elections of persons with disabilities, has a contribution from one of our colleagues on the delegation, a young Waterford woman called Aoife Price. It focuses on the situation of women with disabilities and political participation.

Let me make a few observations before I pass over to Ms Carthy. There have been increases in visibility and participation and improvements in public and political participation, along with increased voter participation by disabled people. This is not to presume that things are going well or that they will come to a successful conclusion in the near future. From our history in Ireland, we know that women were heavily involved in civil, activist and political arenas from the start of the previous century but that this hopeful trend was quickly subverted at political and societal levels. A good start does not always bring a good and timely end. My point is that trends can be sidelined and subverted. This committee has a key role to ensure the needed momentum is increased. A range of Departments and local authorities working together are necessary for that to happen.

Many people who are elected as public representatives in Ireland, whether at local level or national level, started out through involvement in some local or community campaign. That often led people to realise that there is another element, comprising the county councils, the Dáil and the Seanad. Having the opportunity to participate easily and with appropriate supports, particularly at community level, is often the jumping-off point for disabled people in developing a hunger for political participation in one form or another.

The overall political system, including political parties and groups, must act at a few levels simultaneously. The communities where disabled people live must be accessible and welcoming. The myriad of barriers need replacing, with ease of access and relevant accommodations. Ms Carthy will very sweetly go through many of those for the members.

Political parties and groups also have a responsibility to make internal organisational changes. There are many areas that they have control over, such as where they hold their meetings, reaching out to people with disabilities, the provision of information in a format that is accessible or more accessible and having a level playing field for electioneering and participation as a member of the Oireachtas or local authority.