Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I commend Senator Mark Daly on his tenacity in bringing this to us and it is great that the Minister of State listened with openness and sincerity to the proposals. The Cork Deaf Club lobbied me very well and a competent interpreter raised the burning issue of competence, verification and accreditation of a person who would translate the will and preferences of a deaf person in any setting, particularly a court setting or a health setting. The club identified harrowing situations when this went horribly wrong for people, with huge consequences. I welcome this provision and I am glad the Minister of State is acting on this now and that we do not have to wait three years for good and competent, verified, accredited people to be available to the deaf community for difficult situations involving health, well-being and legal matters.