Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the witnesses. I want to start by thanking them for the work they do for disability rights. I will start without preamble as we are all on the same page. I want to get my head around the monitoring role the NDA has, and then move on to how we can impact on the rights-based model we want. Dr. Hartney mentioned public bodies and toolkits. Is there a flow of interaction or is the toolkit online? What interaction does the organisation have with public bodies, different Departments and local authorities? Does the NDA contact them proactively, or do they contact the organisation with a view to disability proofing their policies? There is a capacity gap in terms of how we support our local authorities and public bodies when it comes to the UNCRPD.

We meet a lot of DPOs at this committee. I apologise because I am not familiar with all the research that has been done. Has there been any research into how the State supports DPOs and how they should be funded. Can Dr. Hartney tell the committee if there are any recommendations that can identified from start to finish when it comes to DPOs? We know they are not currently being funded adequately or properly. Following that, what co-ordination does the NDA have with DPOs relating to research and its ongoing work? The UNCRPD implementation strategy is currently ongoing in the Department. What role does the NDA have in that? I hope it is a good role, and that it does not come after the process, but comes before it. On the ratification of the optional protocol, has research been done on the benefits and consequences of implementing that optional protocol? How would that extra layer of accountability benefit the NDA?

That brings me to the NDA's monitoring and supervision role. Does it have also have a role in holding Departments and public services to account? If not, how can its remit benefit from holding our public bodies and Departments to account? We know our Departments do not look to the UNCRPD when they are creating their policies. They do not look at making legislation disability proof. They are not informed by the rights-based model in a substantial proportion of their policies. They leave it to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. They leave it to disabilities. They silo it off. Dr. Hartney highlighted that in her opening statement, because we need a step change in mentality along with the reviews of the legislation.