Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In response to Senator Gavan, I note that I have publicly stated that Shannon Heritage should be moved to the Office of Public Works, OPW. A debate on the issue would be welcome.

I stand today to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities. That day has been marked on 3 December for many years. It gives us an opportunity to reflect on what needs to be done and on what we have achieved. When I was first elected to this House in 2011, Ireland was marked by inequality. There have been many positive developments for persons with disabilities. In life I have always tried to be positive, speak positively and think positively. We have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD. This hugely momentous step was taken by the then Taoiseach, Deputy Leo Varadkar, in 2017. We now have an Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters to monitor the implementation of the UNCRPD. This is absolutely appropriate because we must also ratify the optional protocol to the UNCRPD. I note that the committee includes Members of this House.

For four years a Minister of State with responsibility for disability issues, in the person of former Deputy, Finian McGrath, sat at the Cabinet table. I pay tribute to him for what he achieved during that period. The most recent budget saw the biggest financial supports ever allocated to realising equality for persons with disabilities. Finally, under the stewardship of the Cathaoirleach, this House voted in the past four years to give State recognition to Irish Sign Language. It is great to see interpreters at all the Covid-19 briefings. That service needs to be extended. There should never be a Government briefing on any issue without these interpreters. There is a lot more to be done. In the new year, I would like the Leader to invite the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman, to the House for a debate on disability, so that we in this House can support the work of the Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters.

The theme of this year's International Day of Persons with Disabilities recognises that not all disabilities are visible. I wish all persons with disabilities in Ireland and the world an enjoyable day. I would like them to view Ireland, the world and the people in the Oireachtas who are fighting on their behalf in a positive light.