EU Committee adopts Donegal councillor’s disability rights opinion

Donegal County Councillor Jack Murray’s opinion on enhancing the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities up to 2030 has been adopted by the European Committee of the Regions’ SEDEC Commission in Brussels.

The SEDEC Commission, meeting for its 10th session, approved the opinion after a detailed discussion that included 39 votes on amendments. Murray, serving as rapporteur, said the document was shaped by engagement with disability advocates and representative organisations in Donegal and across the EU, guided by the principle “Nothing about us, without us.”

In his remarks, Murray highlighted the opinion’s focus on practical issues such as making towns, transport and public services more accessible, improving access to education and employment, supporting independent living, tackling discrimination, and equipping councils and regions with tools for real change.

Murray thanked Inishowen’s Áine Sperrin for her expert assistance and met Minister of State Marian Harkin in Brussels to discuss how the proposals could be translated into action in Ireland, urging the Irish Government to adopt the recommendations.

The opinion will now move to the full European Committee of the Regions plenary in December, where Murray will present it in the hemicycle of the European Parliament building for final consideration.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Leonardo Barucci / Pexels.