Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the members and, more importantly, Ms Bardon, Mr. Macey and Ms Farrell for their contributions this morning. I thank Ms Bardon and Ms Farrell for their personal stories about their situations and, as Deputy Canney said, for baring all to the committee and in Ms Farrell's case on the "Six One News". It takes courage, determination and commitment, which you have shown in abundance. For us, as a committee dealing with disability matters, it is very important that you have given the evidence, not just in your opening statements but also in the passionate answers you gave to various members of the committee over the past two hours. We will have to reflect on that.

We have been meeting the lived experience of people with disabilities over the past 12 months and hearing about the issues with resources, help and support for people with disabilities. We will have to continue to advocate on their behalf. It is only because of our guests appearing before us this morning for the past two hours and giving their stories and evidence, including the evidence given by Mr. Macey, that we are empowered to go further. Some members leave the committee meeting and go straight to either the Dáil or the Seanad and raise the issues that arise at the committee. I know from talking privately to members of the committee that they are very empowered by the evidence we are given each week. It is driving us to try to do more. Some members have said that it reflects very badly on the system heretofore, but we will certainly try to bring a spotlight to that. We can only do that through the witnesses' testimony.

I thank you. If there are any issues that have been raised this morning on which you wish to send us further information, please feel free to do so. I assure you we will reflect on it and we will advocate on your behalf at various stages. I thank the witnesses who have appeared before the committee and I thank the members of the committee, who are very dedicated to what we are trying to do and to advocating on behalf of people with disabilities and their families and on the lived experience. I also thank our team who are keeping the show on the road.