Disability Matters Committee resumes discussion on participation of people with disabilities in political, cultural, community, and public life

The Committee is meeting this morning at 9:30 am in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House will hear from:

• National Advocacy Service - Louise Loughlin, National Manager and Suzy Byrne, Greater Dublin Regional Manager
• Voice of Vision Impairment - Robbie Sinnott, Co-Ordinator
• Cara Sports Inclusion Ireland - Niamh Daffy, CEO and Odhrán Doherty, Sports inclusion Co-Ordinator
• Gerry Kerr, Member Dublin City PPN
• Disabled Artists and Disabled Academics (DADA) - Emilie Conway, Disabled Artist, Founder and Creator and Isolde O'Brolcháin Carmody, Disabled Artist, Co-Founding Member

In advance of the meeting Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Michael Moynihan said: “The Committee will hold the third meeting on this topic and will continue the investigation into the participation of people with disabilities in political, cultural, community and public life This meeting will specifically consider how people with disabilities can take part on an equal basis with others in cultural life as well as considering how meaningful participation in public life and decision making can be sustained.”

The Cathaoirleach went on to say: “The Committee is looking forward to hearing from the witnesses regarding their insight into the barriers they have experienced and solutions they perceive to enable greater engagement by people with a disability in public and cultural life.”

The meeting in Committee Room 4 can be viewed live on the Oireachtas website.

The Joint Committee on Disability Matters has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

More information can be found on the dedicated Committee Webpage. Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.