Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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I thanks Ms Ní Fhlatharta. Ms Phelan said earlier that we could have a whole session on each of the recommendations of the citizens' assembly. I am conscious that we have covered an extensive range of issues with our guests this morning. We on the committee are grateful for our guests' time and for the fact they have shared their experiences, some of which were very personal. They have shared their expertise and passion with us. They have articulated powerfully the views, positions and experiences of many persons with disabilities in the context of the recommendations of the citizens' assembly. They have particularly focused on the gendered dimension of disability, which, of course, is our focus as the Joint Committee on Gender Equality. We are conscious, as our guests have pointed out, of the intersectional nature of the work we are doing.

Our guests have also shared with us the richness and diversity of the lives of the disabled persons they represent. They have articulated powerfully for the rights-based approach and for the principles of independence and self-determination. They have also pointed out, critically and rightly, some of the areas in which the recommendations of the citizens' assembly require some adjustment, change or difference in language. It has been incredibly valuable for us to hear from them today and to have the opportunity to develop our thinking and understanding of how we can best move to implement those important recommendations of the assembly. I should that many assembly members follow our proceedings online and engage with us. We are grateful to them and to all our guests.

On behalf of the committee, I thank Ms Fleachta Phelan from the Disability Federation of Ireland, Ms Amy Hassett and Ms Maria Ní Fhlatharta from Disabled Woman Ireland, and Ms Fiona Weldon and Ms Eileen Daly from ILMI. I thank them for taking the time to share their experience and expertise with the committee.