Mr. Gerry Kerr:

I will make two positive and constructive suggestions. The first concerns the questions and contribution from Deputy Tully. I note what she said about the way that we hid away disability in Ireland by putting people into asylums, industrial schools and mother and baby homes. People with disabilities, whatever the type of disability, were often among that cohort. I would love to see us coming to terms with that and recognising it as part of our history. The Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square commemorates our heroes of 1916. I think our real heroes who brought about equality were the women and children who went through those asylums and mother and baby homes. We are now beginning to achieve a certain level of equality, although it is obvious from this meeting that we have a long way to go. The experiences I spoke of should be recognised. I would like a garden, an equality park, created to mark that history. Perhaps it could be located on the old site of the Rotunda hospital, once it moves out to Blanchardstown.

My second suggestion relates to DPOs and registration. Six exist now, which is a small number. I am keen on the idea of DPOs expanding. I ask the Department to have a look at that. I recognise that some excellent work has been done by this committee on the UNCRPD and the budget proposals from this group. It is important to recognise that. Regarding the DPOs, there are approximately 3,000 charities in Ireland and more non-voluntary organisations. Many of the big organisations started off well and were close to their members but have now developed a corporate culture. As members know, within a corporate culture, if you do not listen to members and you are not accountable to them, you can make big mistakes. That can happen. I will not name anyone, but we know that from the scandals that have happened. I ask the Department to look at section 39 organisations, which are service providers, and democratise their governance to ensure that small, exclusive groups of people on boards are not electing people like themselves to their boards and annual general meetings are not just meetings among themselves. I ask for that to be done.

Many more DPOs could be led, directed and governed by disabled people. I do not rule out organisations that support people. The natural inclination for me and many other people when we got involved first was that we wanted to offer support. We can also advocate as well as support. That point could be borne in mind.