Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)

I thank the witnesses for being here today and for setting out such a clear and stark picture on this area of employment and entrepreneurship for disabled people. We have made progress in this country recently in bringing awareness and political focus to some of the disability issues that impact on children but material progress has not yet been made in children's disability issues to anywhere near the level of change required. However, at least some of the issues relating to, for example, additional needs, educational provision and disability services are now out in the open and being acknowledged. That is the first step towards action, and we desperately need urgent action. Those areas remain in crisis.

However, I have a real concern that many disability injustices that affect adults remain very much in the shadows. There is stark failure and neglect, not just in action on many adult disability issues, but even in acknowledging their existence. Our purpose as Oireachtas Members is mainly to try to legislate for change and to hold the Government to account.

Will the witnesses identify two or three key political actions that they believe would make a significant change in the areas of employment and entrepreneurship for disabled people? What would they be?