Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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I welcome everybody to our second session. We are joined by representatives from the Irish Planning Institute, IPI, Mr. Brendan Allen, Ms Emma Flanagan and Dr. Seán O'Leary; and representatives of the National Disability Authority, NDA, Dr. Gerald Craddock and Ms Mary Tallant. The committee wishes to discuss how the built environment and public space can be more autism-friendly. As was stated during our earlier session, we are working to make Leinster House an autism-friendly building. Leinster House dates back to 1745. We look forward to hearing the representatives of the IPI talk about the planning, design and management of public spaces, and how it can work to make these spaces more autism-friendly. We also look forward to hearing from those from the NDA talk about its published guides, including several recommendations to meet the needs of persons with autism and other neurodiverse conditions, and particularly the forthcoming codes of practice on accessible public buildings and accessible public services, with information on and specific reference to autism.

I call on Mr. Allen, honorary treasurer and past president of the IPI, to make his opening statement.