Special Olympics Ireland North & South address the Good Friday Committee in Leinster House

Pictured at Leinster House on Thursday with John McKernan CEO Special Olympics Ulster, Matt English CEO Special Olympics Ireland, Shaun Cassidy Regional Director Special Olympics Ulster and Liam McGarry, volunteer with Special Olympics Ireland.;

Following my invitation, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement heard presentations from Special Olympics representatives North and South on the excellent, valuable and coordinated work they do day in and day out.

As a member of the committee and vocal supporter of Special Olympics Ireland, I was delighted they were afforded the opportunity to present their fantastic work to members and bring further needed awareness to the organisation and the multifaceted work they engage in.  

In July 2013, I tabled a Private Member's Motion commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Special Olympics World Summer Games in 2003 and to highlight the organisation's continued work since this historic milestone.  Following my Private Member's Motion, I have continued to press upon my Government colleagues the importance of viewing the area of disability on a cross-departmental basis and not just in the narrow scope of health.

Special Olympics reaches across the 32 counties of Ireland, with 400 established community clubs and 1 in 3 people with an intellectual disability in Ireland participating.  The organisation has 25,000 committed volunteers who have given thousands of hours of their time.

Representatives presented to members the different Governmental approaches to funding and how cross border support for the organisation can be enhanced.  I will continue to actively engage with Ministers across the departments on this issue in support of Special Olympics.

I look forward to the National Games in Limerick and wish Special Olympics Ireland and all of the athletes every success in June.