Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail)
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I confirm I am in Leinster House. I thank our guests for their contributions. I am jealous of Fionn having visited 30 countries and being a lecturer, teacher and everything else. It just shows that when people get an opportunity, they should grab hold of it, as we all should. We all deserve opportunities and to be able to grab hold of our dreams and create those opportunities for ourselves.

My first question is for Mr. Cawley. We all agree in order for the PAS system to provide independent living, it needs to have flexibility and choice and be a rights-based model. Are there good international examples? What form would such a model take in Ireland? How best can we implement those principles in Ireland, in light of the best models? As we know, we rarely have to reinvent the wheel but rather adapt it to an Irish model. How best can we do that in Ireland in line with the UNCRPD?

Mr. Cawley mentioned the lip service paid to personal assistants, who get so few hours. Is there a model for the best length of time that personal assistants should give?