Games chairman:A public plea was made during the opening ceremony for the Government to support the adoption of a new UN Treaty promoting the rights of people with disabilities.
Mr Denis O'Brien, chairman of the games' organising committee, said the drafting of the treaty was "perhaps the single most important event ever in the history of the United Nations with respect to disabilities.
"I call on the Irish Government to promote and ensure its adoption."
Controversy over the extent of Irish support for the treaty had surfaced earlier this year when the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform expressed concerns to the Department of Foreign Affairs over the cost implications of the initiative.
However, the Minister of State with special responsibilities for Human Rights, Mr Tom Kitt, has since affirmed Ireland's commitment to the treaty, which seeks to apply the Universal Declaration on Human Rights in a disability context.
In his address to athletes at Croke Park, Mr O'Brien also spoke of the honour felt by millions of Irish people who stood "side by side with you as full citizens of the world".
He said: "Our wish has been that the Olympics torch would ignite a new beginning where men and women with a learning disability would take their place as citizens of the world, and the opportunity of working every day alongside all others who enjoy the rights and responsibilities of being fully-integrated citizens."
Mr O'Brien was introduced on stage by fellow committee member and former Special Olympian Ms Rita Lawlor who paid tribute to the chairman by describing him as "a tough boss".
Mr O'Brien returned the complement by quoting Ms Lawlor to express the purpose of the games. "Before Special Olympics I was too shy to speak out loud. But now I am not afraid. We are not children. We are adults. We have opinions and we should be listened to." Of the organisational effort, Mr O'Brien said that over past four years "we have dreamt and looked forward to welcoming you, the Special Olympics athletes from 160 countries from across the globe to this small island of ours".
"As the weeks, months and years progressed, more and more people joined us with this dream; 30,000 volunteers from all traditions, unionist, nationalist and republican united together with the community of supporters.
"They along with the host towns across the island and together with our sponsors joined with the Irish Government the Northern Ireland executive and the EU in preparing for these games.
"I want to thank all of you for sharing in that dream with us. Special Olympics athletes, our lives have been touched by you, through your will to succeed, your courage, your enthusiasm for life. Barriers that had once divided our society are now dissolved."
