Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Again, I do not disagree with the Deputy. We need to ensure the regulations are policed and that people comply with them. However, I go further than that. It is not a matter for "us" to ensure "they" are looked after. We need to be inclusive. That is why, for example, the Office of Government Procurement councils dealing with purchases - the Deputy mentioned fleet and transport - include a member of the Irish Wheelchair Association. This member is there specifically to ensure these measures are not peripheral or part of a checklist but an integral part of the procurement process. We need to transfer this process across the system to ensure people with disabilities are fully represented in decision-making. They should not just be outside advisors but be at the heart of decision-making on matters that affect them directly.

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