Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I also wish to commend and support this Bill and to argue in its favour before the Minister of State. He said that he is open to argument on the checks and balances provided by reviewing this legislation within a five-year timeframe. Access to education is of particular concern. It is one thing to get past the school gate, but will the teacher be capable of communicating and transmitting information? Education is critical in and of itself, but it is also critical to a person's life chances down the line.We know that there is a high rate of poverty among those in the deaf community. If we are able to break the education barrier, we should be able to help to break the employment barrier. I very much support the Bill. It seems obvious but I also support the provision that the people from the deaf community would be the first port of call when reviewing whether the law is working. I am strongly in favour of this system of checks and balances and how it is constructed. I am pleased that the Minister of State is open to taking it on board.