Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I, too, would like to mention the optional protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Obviously the protocol allows individuals or groups to lodge complaints with the UN after their legal domestic process has been exhausted and holds states accountable to ensure the rights of people with disabilities are upheld. The protocol is a really welcome and big step. As a parent of a child with profound autism, we read about and hear in the Seanad about various institutions where children or adults with autism go, especially residential homes. I hope that the protocol will act as a safeguard. People will know that due to the adoption of the protocol the State will have to treat people with autism with due respect and dignity. This optional protocol really underpins that.

I welcome that the Order of Business includes a motion on the Final Report of the Joint Committee on Autism. The committee was led by my colleague, Senator Micheál Carrigy. He has done an amazing amount of work in this space and I thank him on behalf of all families in Ireland.