DSI attends Dail briefing on the ratification of the UNCRPD 30/3/17

Cian O’Connor, Chairperson of Down Syndrome Ireland’s National Advisory Council spoke at a Dail briefing on the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) yesterday. The briefing came ahead of the national protest at Leinster House in which campaigners called on the Government to immediately, and without delay, ratify the human rights treaty.

Cian was one of seven speakers; each giving their own account of why the ratification of the UNCRPD is urgent and essential. Cian believes passionately in the rights of people with disabilities to participate in the workforce and to have their voices heard as citizens of Ireland. Cian is a graduate of the Latch-On adult literacy programme, delivered in Ireland by DSI.

The panel of speakers at the Dail Briefing included:

• Padraig Hannafin – Rehab Group
• Kathy Ryan – Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland
• Rachel Creevey – Irish Wheelchair Association’s Youth Services Department
• Francis Ducie – National RehabCare
• Audrey Tormey – National Council for the Blind in Ireland’s Rehabilitation Training Centre
• Brendan Sinclair – Irish Wheelchair Association Member

The briefing was chaired by Senator John Dolan and the full list of government representatives in attendance is below.

Cian is pictured above with his Mum Siobhan at Leinster House.

You can watch Cian’s speech on our official YouTube Channel here.

Senators

1. Senator Grace O’Sullivan
2. Senator Maire Devine
3. Senator Jerry Buttimer
4. Senator Collette Kelleher
5. Senator John O’Mahony
6. Senator Alice Mary Higgins

TDs

1. Maurice Quinlivan TD
2. Jackie Cahill TD
3. Michael Harty TD
4. Fiona O’Loughlin TD
5. Gabrielle McFadden TD
6. Trevor O’Clochartaigh
7. Catherine Martin TD
8. Maureen O’Sullivan TD
9. Thomas Pringle TD
10. Frank O’Rourke TD
11. Margaret Murphy O’Mahony TD
12. Anne Rabbitte TD
13. Eugene Murphy TD
14. Joe Carey TD
15. Sean Crowe TD
16. Seamus Healy TD
17. Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD

Political Staff

1. Ursula Ni Choill (on behalf of Ivana Bacik)
2. Sarah O’Dwyer on behalf of Minister David Stanton
3. Lochlainn Egan on bhelaf of Thomas Pringle