Tom Clonan (Independent)
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I thank the witnesses for coming to the meeting. I also thank Nem for that very comprehensive piece of feedback. There have been some developments since this Bill was drafted initially. I know, from my contact with both of the Deputies, that notwithstanding some of the language contained within the draft, they are absolutely committed to doing what is in the best interests of the autistic community.

The language changes so quickly. When I got elected last year I got a very kind offer of advice from one of the disabled persons' organisations, DPOs. I was given a kind of tutorial on what language is and is not appropriate. This was only last year, but at that time they were telling me disabled citizens are happy to be called disabled citizens and are proud of that. With autism, I think it may have been the case that it was an identity-first priority, so we all have to be really careful because even though one is in this setting and environment, the language changes really quickly. My quick question for Nem before I move to the other witnesses - again they will have to forgive my ignorance on this - is whether there is a resource or somewhere we can keep up to date with the preferred language or terms.

I will ask the other witnesses the quick questions and then come back. Again, the witnesses from the Middletown Centre for Autism might forgive me if I am asking a really silly question, but Middletown is in County Armagh, is it not? It is. The witnesses from the centre are very welcome to Leinster House. In a previous life I spent many a happy evening on the Border just south of Bessbrook Mill, places like Camlough and all around there, so I am very familiar with that part of the world. It is a beautiful part of the world and it is great to see how things have moved on so much. This is probably an unfair question, but from their contact with the autism community in the Six Counties, in Northern Ireland, how different is the situation with respect to service provision? For example, some of the questions we had earlier were about an assessment. I highlighted earlier the requirement that on the basis of any assessment there has to be services and support. I think Nem referred to this as well. It cannot just be an assessment; there has to be some sort of service and support flowing from that. It is probably a very unfair question, but is service provision in Northern Ireland a little better than it is here or is it broadly similar? If the witnesses cannot answer that question it is not a problem.

I move to Mr. Harris. Again, there is no pressure. I have heard everything all the witnesses have said about the proposed Bill, its wording and this scrutiny, which is really helpful. There was mention of publishing an annual scorecard. I have a question on that I hope the Chair does not admonish me for.