Nessa Cosgrove (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Last week I was contacted by three second-year students - Dara Flynn, Avie O'Brien and Abbie McMorrow - who attend Ursuline College in Sligo town. Their names are . As part of their CSPE project, under the guidance of their teacher, Regina Grennan, they invited an ambassador for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind to talk to their class and discuss her experiences of navigating Sligo town with her guide dog, Sasha.As well as being an ambassador, Jackie McBrearty is also visually impaired. She spoke with warmth about how her guide dog Sasha had opened up the world to her, allowing her to explore her surroundings in confidence. However, Jackie also made very clear to the students that she faces challenges daily and, most shockingly, discrimination, which is clearly a breach of laws.

A survey carried out by the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind in December 2023 found that 83% of guide dog owners had had a negative experience while trying to access and participate in services and amenities in the previous 12 months. This is in spite of legislation that allows guide and assistance dogs to enter otherwise restricted spaces. Institutions and businesses throughout our State are subject to the Equal Status Acts. Ireland is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which compels, not requests, services and amenities to make themselves accessible to those requiring the aid of an assistance dog. This includes all forms of public transport, which should be a given, such as planes, trains, trams, ferries and taxis. All forms of hospitality, including hostels, hotels and Airbnbs, legally must admit guide dogs. This extends to cafés, restaurants, pubs, etc.

Sadly, compliance with the legislation does not seem to be observed. Jackie reported to students that she had been refused entry to Sligo University Hospital. The word "humiliation" was used by Sligo barrister and Paralympian Martin Gordon, who was also refused access to a Dublin restaurant in 2023. This kind of discrimination is not okay. The Ursuline College students recommended that we address private bin providers, e-scooters and electric bicycles. The owners of these should be held accountable and training should be provided to all hospitality staff and public service staff.