Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minster of State to the House, and acknowledge and thank him for the enormous amount of work he has done in, and focus he has given to, the disability sector. No one doubts his commitment. He has to operate within the constraints of scarce finances and resources but he has nevertheless been an amazing champion and advocate for this sector. We all acknowledge that, and I want to say that to the Minister of State himself. I also thank Senator Dolan and his group, which proposed it, for this legislation. The Senator has made it much easier for us because he designed a very nice infographic to accompany the Bill, and not many people come up with infographics as detailed as this one. It says a lot about the clear messages within the Bill. We have to be very clear in politics and we must be clear about what we are doing, especially when we are pushing for new policies. I like the way this has been dealt with it. The Bill takes a few issues and themes such as playgrounds, universal design, bus accessibility, personal advocacy, which is a very important aspect of this Bill, and accessible changing facilities, and works through them, and that is the way to do it. If we want to get things over the line, we have to pull out the priorities and get them over the line, and Senator Dolan has done well in that. It is an important piece of work.

For many years, I was a director for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, and our slogan was "independent mobility with dignity". There was an emphasis on mobility and dignity because the people our charity dealt with were predominantly visually impaired. Those two straplines came about because we engaged with our clients and the people who used our service, and dignity was a recurring theme. Senator Kelleher referred to people wanting to do ordinary things in ordinary places, and that is profound. It is a simple message, but people cannot always do ordinary things in ordinary places. She also touched on the issue of full citizenship. Everybody is entitled to be full citizens, to go to their place of work or place of worship, to engage with their families and friends, and to be able to do that at all times, while having access to the services they need. I will not rehash the issue of changing facilities, but I have heard some terrible stories about the lack of important facilities for people with disabilities, which nobody should be denied. That is important, and this is important legislation.

I also acknowledge Senator Dolan's work in the Disability Federation of Ireland, DFI. A good thing about him is that he has come into politics and Seanad Éireann and retained a sharp focus on disability rights and advocacy, while also doing other things. Parliamentarians must stay focused on some keys issues, and he has done that. Some of the key objectives of the DFI refer to access to education, finding and keeping jobs, having sufficient income to stay out of poverty, and choosing where one wants to live and with whom. That is important, as is access to buildings, shops, community facilities, and art and sport facilities. We take all of that for granted. I can think of one theatre not too far from here that cannot be entered without encountering steps and obstacles. Access to transport is also important. Transport allows us to travel far from home and all citizens are entitled to that. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, might look at that, because it is a funding issue, though Dublin Bus has done a lot regarding access to buses. Access to assistive technologies and healthcare is also important.

Senator Dolan has thought this through. He has brought his expertise and skills from the DFI to this Bill. He has worked with his own group and people, he has stayed focused, and he has pushed us to this point. I wish him and his staff well, because they are close to my office so I see how hard they work at this every day. I commend Senator Dolan and his team. He deserves every success with this Bill.