Disability activists, political leaders and international academics gathered to discuss the barriers to political representation and activism for people with disabilities in Ireland at a special seminar in Dublin, recently. The attendance included Minister for State and Disability Finian McGrath TD; MEP Marian Harkin and keynote speaker Professor Mark Priestley, University of Leeds.
Wexford had strong representation, Vivian Rath, Kilmuckridge, Gorey, spoke about the participation of people with disabilities in political and public life, and he was joined by former Fianna Fail T.D., Sean Connick from New Ross, and Amy Hasset, UCDSU, Rosslare, who participated in the panel discussion.

Wexford disability activists, Vivian Rath, Gorey, Amy Hasset, Rosslare, and Sean Connick, New Ross, at a recent seminar in Dublin.

“Currently Irish people living with disabilities have restricted access to social participation in society especially when it comes to political representation. This landmark event is calling for a change to this,” said Vivian Rath.
“As a person with a disability and former UCD Students’ Union Vice President I hope this event will motivate Government and political parties to start thinking about how they can make a change,” said Mr Rath, who added; “Around 13% of the Irish population have a disability. That means we need 22 TDs with a disability in the Dáil for it to be truly representative.”
Minister for Disabilities Finian McGrath TD said: “Exclusion of any person with a disability is wrong and is something that I have and will always campaign against. We must do all we can to address this challenge and that is why I am delighted to be speaking at this seminar to see how we can bridge the gap in politics and allow people with disabilities achieve their full potential.”
Professor Priestley from the University of Leeds told the seminar; “There has been a growing awareness of disability rights in European countries, most recently in Ireland’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This includes a commitment to political participation rights, but urgent action is needed by government, by the political parties and by election authorities to make this a reality.”
The event was organised by PhD researcher and disability advocate, Vivian Rath, through Trinity College Dublin’s School of Education and supported by the Trinity College Dublin Equality Fund, in conjunction with University College Dublin Students’ Union.