Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. I was told a long time ago when I first came into these Houses to watch her because she was a fast learner. That is clearly the case. We have seen her tenacity, grasp of issues and determination in action in the past few weeks and well done on that. It is not an easy task to come into these Houses and to be a Minister of State. The Minister of State and her colleague from Waterford who we had in the House yesterday are a formidable pair. They are two people to watch for the future and Leinster House is a better place having them in government as Ministers of State with two important portfolios. I wish them well and acknowledge that. It is important that we acknowledge talent and skill but also the determination and fast learning I have witnessed here today, as it reflects everything I have been told about the Minister of State. I say that in the best terms.

I have known the Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly, a very long time. The very first day I met him he was talking about this issue. Since I have come in here he was talking about ISL. He, too, is a very determined man, as the Minister of State, and Members of this House, know. When he sets his mind on something he is focused, driven, forensic and determined. We owe a lot to him. I know he is involved in one of the deaf organisations in terms of his nominating body.

I have been a director of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind for many years and I equate blindness with deafness. To close one's eyes and see nothing or to have one's ears covered and hear nothing are two profound disadvantages in life. Somebody asked earlier what was this about. This is about human rights, access, communication, the skill of engaging with other people in one's community and the capacity and ability to play a meaningful role in one's school, church, community or place of work. This is an important communication skill that we all need. Many of us who have the ability to see and hear still have not quite learned how to communicate. There is a real art in communication. It is about empathy and many other things. We have many faculties that we never put into use. I am reminded of a woman who is blind from birth who told me one day when I met her that I was not in good form or I was in a bad mood. I told her I was not but she said she could sense it. She could smell it. She said she could hear me as I came up the path. We have many senses that we lose because we have never practised them. It is important to be aware that while people do not necessarily hear, they have other senses.

This is an important day and it is important that we celebrate it. Senator Clifford-Lee spoke about the "Late Late Toy Show". I saw it, too. I liked the strong images of the sign interpreters in respect of the Covid-19 restrictions. That was important because we need to bring people to the front. We need to show that there are many ways of communicating with people.

I was delighted that the Minister of State referenced DCU because it is a wonderful university. It operates a range of courses that assess people and support them in realising their potential and ability, which is what it is all about. It is about each and every one of us realising and maximising our full potential to be relevant and meaningful citizens within our community.

I thank the Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly. I also want to thank Grace Coyle, who works in his office. She is the other half of the engine that operates up there. I acknowledge her because she did a great deal of work in the background, and it was not easy. It is hard to believe but three years ago, we were wondering if there would be enough support in this House for the Bill. We wondered if there would be an issue with having a sign language person in the House to interpret. We remember the lovely movement when we finished our debate. They put up their hands and waved indicating "Thank you" and "Goodbye". Communication is not that complicated if people are given the space and the time to communicate.

I want to acknowledge also the work of the Minister of State's predecessor, Finian McGrath, because he did a lot of work and it was not easy for him either. There was a Government in place very similar to the one we have today, a confidence and supply arrangement. He had difficulty in getting time and getting people to listen to what he was trying to advocate.

Well done to the Cathaoirleach for driving this Bill. Well done to the people who came on board but, importantly, to the families and the advocates of the deaf community who did not give up and believed they were right and entitled to fight and push for their right to be able to communicate and engage. I hope it will not be too long before we see a member of the disability community or, for that matter, the deaf community having a meaningful role and engaging here in Seanad Éireann and, hopefully, in Dáil Éireann. I thank everyone involved and I wish the Minister of State well with her work.