Oireachtas committee to scrutinise access to Irish tourism

Fáilte Ireland representatives are due to appear before the Disability Matters Committee to discuss barriers facing disabled people. Members will consider equal participation in cultural and leisure activities, alongside the availability of reliable information for visitors.

Disabled people’s access to Ireland’s tourism and cultural life will be examined by the Joint Committee on Disability Matters when representatives of Fáilte Ireland appear before it.

The meeting is scheduled for 9.30am in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000. The Oireachtas press release describes it as taking place tomorrow, but also gives the date as Wednesday, 11 November; the release itself is dated 11 November 2026, so the meeting date is unclear.

The Fáilte Ireland representatives due to appear are:

Caroline Bocquel, chief executive officer.
Orla Carroll, director of tourism competitiveness and sustainability.
Niamh Daffy, manager of sustainability and accessibility.

Members will consider the implementation of Article 30 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It recognises the right of disabled people to take part in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport on an equal basis with others. Committee chair Deputy Maurice Quinlivan said accessibility should be incorporated from the outset into the planning, design and delivery of tourism infrastructure, attractions and events, rather than treated as an afterthought. “People should not have to spend hours researching whether accommodation, concerts or visitor attractions can accommodate their needs. They need clear information in advance so they can make informed decisions and participate with dignity and independence,” he said. Quinlivan welcomed initiatives and investment to date, but said they must lead to meaningful improvements in disabled people’s everyday experiences. The committee will examine how Fáilte Ireland is tackling persistent barriers and ensuring disabled people’s voices shape the development of the sector. The meeting can be watched live on the Oireachtas website, www.oireachtas.ie, or through the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android. Media enquiries can be directed to Áine McMahon, Communications Unit, Houses of the Oireachtas, Leinster House, Dublin 2. Contact: +353 (0) 1 618 4643 or +353 (0) 85 800 7312; [email protected] or [email protected]. The Oireachtas News account on Twitter is @OireachtasNews.