Mr. Gary Lee:

We were not consulted on that.

Senator O'Keeffe used the word "fretted", agonised or whatever. We are not here to point the finger at anybody. Certainly, we have always found the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to be very receptive. She has met us a number of times, not in regard to this. We do not question her bona fides and where she is coming from in relation to this. As a Minister of State, it would appear that she does not have devolved powers. Of significance here is the fact that there has been no statement of significance at all by any of the senior Ministers in Government, and that is what would concern us. There is no Minister for disability at the Cabinet table and perhaps there needs to be. There does not seem to be a voice for those with disabilities at the Cabinet table.

On the use of the word "axed", we decided deliberately to use that word. The mobility allowance is €9 million. There is a further €1.3 million on the motorised transport grant. If it is €10.3 million and that money is being ring-fenced to enable a new system to come into place that will have more recipients, then there will be a smaller amount of money in the pot to be divided round and it follows that there must be less money available to those who are already in receipt. That is a best case scenario. That is saying that recipients will be paid directly. However, indications are that the money will be given to service providers to provide transport for persons with disabilities. Certainly, that is what had been stated initially, after this story broke. That is why we used the word "axed". We feel that it has been axed.