Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)

Thanks very much. I apologise that I was not here for the opening statements. I am also a member of the health committee and was attending its meeting. I thank the witnesses for being here. I appreciate it.

I have participated in sport. I have been involved with the GAA as a medical team doctor for the past 30 years. I am giving away my age now. I have also been involved with my local rugby club and in athletics.

While we can have national policies and strategies from the Government down to our sports organisations, much of what happens on the ground is community driven. It is often driven by parents who have either an interest or a need in their own families. They may have a child living with disability who they want to participate. As the witnesses pointed out, all the same benefits that pertain to someone who does not live with disability are there for the person who lives with it. It is about mental health, physical health and the sense of community.

Creggs rugby club in my area has developed an outstanding facility in a small village in east Galway. This small junior club that was set up 50 years ago now has 76 dressing rooms which are fully compliant and fitted out - including in the context of shower areas - for people living with disability. The club has developed a relay system within its complex whereby people who are travelling with children who have a disability and need, for example, changing or shower facilities, and maybe stop off and have a cup of coffee, and they are designated on this network. I am sure our guests are aware of that system, but it just shows what can be done. It is driven by, in particular, Ger O'Dowd, who is a teacher down there, his brother and a very committed committee. It can be done. Our GAA clubs and other clubs are also pressing that button, but it is often driven by community, regardless of the number of policies we put into place.

Where do the witnesses see this going? It is a big ask, because there are different levels and different types of disability. Certainly, during the summer, along with Ability West, Creggs rugby club ran the first camp of its kind in the west of Ireland for 12 children. I was in attendance on the day the Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, launched that initiative. It was good to see the relief of the parents at being able to drop off their children, go away and come back, knowing they were safe and were participating in a sporting activity that was appropriate to their needs. It was also good to see the joy of the volunteers, young and old, who came out and helped and also the joy on the faces of the children participating. Where do our guests see this model going? Are there going to be many different solutions on offer? It cannot be a case of one size fits all.