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New Fine Gael senator Nikki Bradley with Taoiseach Simon Harris today. RollingNews.ie

New senator says misuse of disabled toilets must end with roll out of access keys

Bradley says there are lots of things that could make the lives of people with disabilities easier.

FINE GAEL’S NEW senator has said that she would like to see access keys rolled out to stop the misuse of disabled toilets. 

Motivational speaker and disability advocate Nikki Bradley has been appointed to the Seanad to replace Fine Gael’s Regina Doherty who has been elected to the European Parliament.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said has been in awe of the work Bradley has done over the years as a disability advocate, telling reporters today that he wants to be advised and informed on disability matters by people who have the real lived experiences. 

Bradley was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer at 16. 

She has survived multiple surgeries, including a tumour removal, two hip replacements, a femur repair and an amputation.

When asked by The Journal what are some of the issues she would like to tackle first in her new role, she said there are lots of things that could make the lives of people with disabilities easier. 

Toilets 

One thing that could make daily life easier is stopping the misuse of disability toilets with the introduction of a universal access key that would ensure that only people with a disability and with the key can access facilities.

The National Key Scheme in the UK offers disabled people independent access to locked public toilets around the country, according to Disability Rights UK group. 

The group states that the keys are sold to people who require use of the toilet facilities due to their disability or health condition. 

The keys can be used in around 10,000 disabled toilets across the UK. The keys are used by some 400 local authorities to allow disabled people access to locked, accessible toilets. 

Harris Bradley-1_90709272

Driving is another area she would like to see prioritised for those with a disability.

Hailing from Donegal, she said the ability to able to get around independently is hugely important, stating that she wants to work with transport bodies to help encourage people to get behind the wheel themselves. 

The independence be able to drive yourself without having to rely on others, that might not see like much in the grand scheme of things”, but Bradley said it can be the biggest deal for some individuals that can’t. 

Speaking about her own personal experience after her surgery, she said she had to wait eight months to be able to drive herself. 

“It was the longest eight months of my life,” she said. 

Bradley has previously spoken about getting her car adapted for her prosthetic, was like “starting my new life again”. 

Harris said he wants to prioritise the roll out of a new disability strategy by government, and wants to see Ireland opt in to the optional protocol on the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. 

Asked if she will would like to contest the next general election in Donegal, she said “never say never”, but for now, she wanted to focus on her new job in the Seanad. 

When asked about the issue of defective concrete blocks, a huge political issue in her home county, Bradley said it is “definitely an area” she would like to focus on. 

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    Mute Tony Daly
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    May 20th 2017, 12:16 AM

    It is important that An Garda Siochana are subject to the law as the rest of us are. The rule of law is an important part of any democracy.

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    Mute dead right
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    May 20th 2017, 9:12 AM

    @Tony Daly: we have a truly rotten police force from the top to the poor lad just out of templemore who apparently has to sleep in his car eating pot noodle.

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    Mute Ben Moten
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    May 20th 2017, 11:50 AM

    @Tony Daly:

    Of course you are right. However, and I don’t mean this in any disparaging way, this comment is much like what a politician would say and then leave it hanging in mid air.

    We all know what is needed but if the leader of our country, the minister for justice and all the other political groups do nothing about the corruption which permeates our country, we will just have to put up with it. That is if we as citizens don’t do something ourselves.
    Regards.

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    Mute booby sandwiches
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    May 20th 2017, 1:15 PM

    @Tony Daly: large pich of slat required with anything a shinner says… you couldnt trust them to tell the time never mind the truth

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    Mute #Right2change
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    May 20th 2017, 12:30 AM

    Democracy is crumbling in front of all our eyes!! FF/FG ignore will of Irish people when it came to water and now ignore parliamentary vote on AIB shares. Are we to believe they even care about the crumbling Gardai ?

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    Mute Tim Brennan
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    May 20th 2017, 12:27 AM

    I’m exhausted as to how this ministers incompetence is seen as one of those things and tonight she will bed Leo to keep her job

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    Mute booby sandwiches
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    May 20th 2017, 12:09 AM

    if true its sound like the gardai were doing some fantastic work, long may it continue

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    Mute iluvkief/Tá mé dom
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    May 20th 2017, 7:05 AM

    @booby sandwiches: a good job by what setting up the competition?or some fella because the cop fancies his girlfriend?or someone who didn’t give up his seat in the pub? or beat him in darts? You must be a member of stackers

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    Mute booby sandwiches
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    May 20th 2017, 1:16 PM

    @iluvkief/Tá mé dom: your inferiority complex is alarming but very amusing :D

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    May 20th 2017, 6:51 AM

    It all boils down to the fact that a corrupt government needs a corrupt police force, and that a corrupt police force needs a corrupt government, or neither will thrive.
    The government are not interested in Gardai corruption and the Gardai have no interest in investigating the wholesale corruption in the government and those who surround government.

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    Mute alphanautica
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    May 20th 2017, 7:55 AM

    @Dave Doyle: identify one case evidencing ‘wholesale corruption’ in government of illegal or criminal behaviour and you get a lifetime’s supply of tin foil

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    Mute booby sandwiches
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    May 20th 2017, 11:17 AM

    @Dave Doyle: does that apply to northern ireland also, SF in government, corruption is rife, fake research companies anyone??

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    Mute alphanautica
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    May 20th 2017, 7:49 AM

    What’s wrong with:
    engaged active criminals as informants
    used informants they have control over to entrap and prosecute people

    Is that not the whole point in Gardai infiltrating criminal networks?

    Heartwarming that Sinn Fein are concerned about such things.

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    Mute booby sandwiches
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    May 20th 2017, 11:18 AM

    @alphanautica: exactly it sound like the polic are doing a fantastic job if everything that shinner is saying is true. but its a shinner so its most likely all lies

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    Mute Bennythekid
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    May 20th 2017, 4:47 AM

    is Michelle (author) on first name terms with the Sinn Fein deputy referring to him at one stage as Martin while no such courtesy applies to the minister.-just proves i read the article.

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    Mute Joe Burns
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    May 20th 2017, 11:02 AM

    But don’t worry folks, keep voting FG/FF and it will all get sorted. Sure aren’t we in recovery? The fastest growing economy in Europe, lots of jobs for people who want to work and 280,000 empty houses out there to rent. Keep the recovery going and the EU and IMF will look after us.

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    Mute Brian O Reilly
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    May 20th 2017, 7:48 AM

    Beware the ,”Long finger of the Law”

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    Mute Gerry Campbell
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    May 20th 2017, 9:40 AM

    The Shinners minding their own again !

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    Mute Grainne Kelly
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    May 20th 2017, 11:05 AM

    That’s why she is not on the leader ticket. Costly friendship! !

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    Mute booby sandwiches
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    May 20th 2017, 1:20 PM

    that shinner should get used to being ignored, it is going to have to deal with it daily for the rest of its life :D

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