Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)

I acknowledge a man from Ballintober in County Roscommon. I extend my sincere congratulations to Dr. John Bosco Conama, who was elected to the fellowship of Trinity College Dublin last week. John is a professor in the Centre for Deaf Studies, Trinity College Dublin. His commitment to deaf equality and advocacy issues, alongside his commitment to academia, lecturing, publishing and research is outstanding. He is at the highest levels, not only on national, but on international levels. He is currently the director for the Centre for Deaf Studies, vice chair of the Irish Deaf Society, co-chair of the group implementing the Irish Sign Language Act and chair of the Irish Sign Language recognition campaign, to mention but a few of his achievements.

The fellowship recognises a lifetime of advocacy, scholarship and leadership but also of continued contribution to the life of the college and broader society. Dr. John Bosco Conama is the first deaf person and sign language user to be awarded this honour in Ireland. This is an incredible recognition of someone's lifetime commitment. I congratulate him, his partner, Audrey, their extended families, friends, colleagues and the wider deaf community. I hope his achievements can be seen as an example to all, but especially to the deaf community, that there is a place in academia for them and there are no limits to what they can achieve. Congratulations, Dr. Conama.