Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. I would not have minded if Senator Murphy O'Mahony went ahead because I was late; apologies everybody. I thank the witnesses for meeting with us today and for the information provided in advance and I thank the team for the supports in advance of the meeting. I also thank Dr. Aoife Price who is joining us online. She has effectively produced and verbalised the handbook of what is required.

I will be brief in my questions. I thank the witnesses for the work they do. It is a huge amount of work and of a diverse range and is also expanding. Regarding the recommendations to Government based on the research that both sectors have provided, is there a specific timeline? What is the mechanism of follow-up as to when the recommendations are made? What is that to-and-fro process? Is it timely? Do things go on the long finger? It is a bit like a game of "Gladiators" where you want to get from A to B but you have all of these conflicting issues and prioritisation, etc., that get in the way. This is so fundamental, however. I also refer to resources. I ask this of nearly every group. Are the resources sufficient to carry out research, deliver the objectives that are in plans and deliver on the necessary feedback from disabled persons?

I was involved as a councillor with the Age Friendly Ireland committee in Meath County Council and it has always been said that if we design for age friendly, we design for everybody. I see a lot of delivery and collaboration between the Age Friendly Ireland steering committee and every Department at this stage. Is it possible for the sector to have a partnership to expedite but in parallel emphasise the core objectives as well? There may be more traction and it may be faster through something like that, given the massive overlap.