Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 23:

In page 29, lines 23 and 24, to delete “in such manner as the Commission considers appropriate” and substitute “in an accessible manner on a website maintained by the Commission”.

Amendment No. 23 seeks to amend the provision that the commission shall publish its annual report in such a manner as it deems appropriate by removing the language "as it deems appropriate" and replacing it with "in an accessible manner on a website maintained by the Commission". We know that there are plain English requirements for public bodies as well as obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD. These obligations should be reflected in how the commission publishes its reports. I urge the Minister of State to accept the amendment.

Amendment 51 compels the commission to publish its review in an accessible format and both online and in a physical format. The amendment addresses multiple issues. First, it vindicates Article 9 of the UNCRPD on accessibility, which refers to enabling disabled persons to participate fully in public life. It is not sufficient that the review should be published in a manner the commission sees fit, if that manner is not an accessible one. It is essential that minimum accessibility requirements are included in the primary legislation, as we cannot in good conscience let the Bill leave this House without knowing what manner the commission will see fit to publish it in. Accessibility needs to be baked into all our legislation.

Second, the amendment addresses problems of digital inclusion.We know that Ireland has a significant problem in respect of digital literacy. It is one of the worst countries in Europe in that regard. With that in mind, it is incredible that almost no legislation includes requirements for information to be provided in a physical format. My colleagues and I have tabled similar amendments to many pieces of legislation. This is not a big ask but, rather, a bare minimum requirement of public life. Significant sections of the population are potentially excluded by public information being provided online only. I hope the Minister of State will engage constructively with amendment No. 51 and accept our proposal or similar wording that will ensure accessibility for disabled persons, older persons and other groups in society is enshrined in the legislation.