Mr. Desmond Kenny:

There may be something in the Nordic countries where the PA-type service has been run, where there has been some sort of cost-benefit analysis and where there is control over what exists in terms of the individual.

I have some sympathy with what Ms O’Neill is describing. When I hear descriptions of practical assessments, however, I sometimes think in the context of the medical model and of determining physical absence, there is heavy emphasis on what is ultimately going to be provided. The concept of subjectivity when it comes to a person’s needs is very much in the background of the thinking in that regard. It has to measure up to some huge objectivity that people like Ms O’Neill and the people who work with her have to keep justifying.

IHREC is a toothless dog without any bark. In terms of rights for us or anybody else, I am not sure that the loss of the Equality Authority was not the biggest catastrophe that we suffered. People had more rights under the Equality Authority than will ever be the case get under IHREC. It sits there and puts a gloss on everything that this committee does, but it does not adding anything. Even in the context of its public duty, it sends things out but does not follow up. Everyone sees those who work for IHREC as nice, kind people and sees it as a great agency with a great philosophy, but it has no teeth.