Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate our new colleague, Senator Bradley. I could not be more thrilled to see her here. I am very proud of the Taoiseach for recognising her sheer talent and skill and elevating her to the Seanad. I also welcome the Senator's family. It is a really big day. I was emotional seeing her walking in. Her family can be very proud of her. As her colleague, I am very proud of her. There is nothing like lived experience speaking on the floor of this House. It is much more compelling and insightful. There are Senators here who bring very specific lived experience to their roles. It makes for a more human reflection.

Leinster House should really reflect the people of our State and none more so than people with disabilities. I serve on the disability matters committee and every Thursday morning after the meeting I come in here to raise on the Order of Business what has gone on there and state we need to debate issues and advance the position of people with disabilities so that everybody can lead their best life. There is nothing better than this being modelled by one of our Senators. We already have Senator Conway and for him to be joined by Senator Bradley is fantastic. We have a large body of work to do. We need to ratify the optional protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, CRPD. We need to ensure every child in our State has the greatest opportunity and an equality of opportunity so they can live their best life and have equality of education, access to services and access to disability supports. We have a lot of work to do. I am very pleased the Taoiseach is driving this, along with the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, who has been brilliant in recent weeks, especially in meetings we have had with her. There is a determination and focus in Fine Gael and I am very proud to be part of it. I am delighted to have Senator Bradley here.