Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Reading is the greatest gift that can be given to a child. In that debate, there should be some consideration for the blind and visually impaired community, bearing in mind that only 10% of books are available in Braille or audio formats. If one walked into Easons and 90% of the shelves were empty, one would not be long leaving because one would feel there were no books there. That is the reality blind and visually impaired people face throughout the world and in this country. Any strategy or discussions on libraries and their use should incorporate the National Council for the Blind and its audiovisual library in Dublin. It should be part of any national strategy.