National Advisory Council (NAC)

The National Advisory Council is a group of adults with Down syndrome. The group represents the voice of people with Down syndrome in Ireland. The National Advisory Council is also called the NAC.

The NAC meet once a month in the National Office in Dublin. The NAC talk about the rights of people with Down syndrome and things like transport, housing and employment. The NAC work on projects to improve support for people with Down syndrome.

Recent NAC projects

Transport for Ireland Collaboration: The National Advisory Council have been advocating for better transport for people with Down syndrome. A lot of people with Down syndrome now have jobs but it is hard to get to their job, independently, particularly in rural Ireland. They also wanted better public transport resources for people with Down syndrome. They are now working with TFI and the NTA on a project called ‘My Journey, My Way’. They have made Easy To Read guides on the new bus routes and are working on many more.
Research and Resources: The NAC work closely with Down Syndrome Ireland staff to help with ongoing research and to assist with Easy Read guides. These guides are for all people with Down syndrome and are resources that are extremely beneficial to them. DSI always get approval from the NAC on any resource for members before publishing.
Electoral Commission Partnership: In the last few years, we have had a lot of elections. The NAC worked very closely with the Electoral Commission to encourage people with Down syndrome to exercise their right to vote and use their voice. Conor O’Donnel, NAC member, was the face of their TV advertising campaign and videos the NAC did for the EC were their highest viewed videos throughout one of the elections.
Collaborations: The NAC work in partnership with many different organsitaions. They attend regular meetings in insurance company The Fidelis Partnership, where they update the staff on their work and advocacy. The NAC have regular meetings with a charity in Russia called Down Side Up, who are working on similar projects. They also are working with Down Syndrome Scotland who are trying to start similar advisory councils and the NAC are helping them to set up.
Inclusion Ireland: The NAC have a great working relationship with Inclusion Ireland. They have regular meetings with the staff and share many resources.
International Groups: The NAC is heavily involved with Down Syndrome International and the Down Syndrome International Network Group. Fintan is a member of the new International Network Group and the NAC feed into the national ambassador for Down Syndrome International, so they are updated on the work that is taking place in Ireland.
Meeting Important Figures: The NAC regularly meeting with important figures and decision makers, from politicians to ambassadors and more. This year, the NAC met with Taoiseach Micheál Martin to discuss important issues and present the new strategy. In 2025 the NAC met with Tanáiste Simon Harris to discuss their issues, and were pleased to see issues they raised were featured in The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. They look forward to seeing real change from this.

Changemakers

For World Down Syndrome Day 2026, the National Advisory Council were featured in the Irish Independent Sunday Life magazine.

The members were all interviewed about their advocacy on the NAC, their jobs and their hobbies.

You can read the interview here.

It was an incredible exciting day, with the NAC members even getting their hair and make up done by the Irish Independent team.

A huge thank you to our friends at Fidelis for allowing us to use their fabulous office for the shoot, as well as often hosting the NAC meetings.

Conor O’Donnell, Eric Nolan, Eileen Dunne, Yann O’Carroll, , Fintan Bray who is Chairman of the National Advisory Council and Una Coates.
Photo by Steve Humphreys.