Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for being slightly late. I was attending to business in the Dáil.

It is extraordinary that we are discussing the recognition of deaf-blindness as a distinct disability given that lobbying has been taking place on the issue for many years. Earlier this week, while checking something about previous Ministers for Health, I was fascinated to note the lack of progress on this issue. People may disagree but in my view politicians should hang their heads in shame because some of the issues raised by the witnesses were being raised as far back as 1967. Ms English used the word "invisible" to describe deaf-blind people. That description sums up the position regarding efforts to have deaf-blindness recognised as a distinct disability for a long period.

Despite what one hears, Ireland is a country of substantial wealth. The issue is one of wealth distribution. If that were not the case, the witnesses would not need to come before the joint committee seeking basic changes. It is extraordinary that, having been discriminated against by nature, deaf-blind people continue to be discriminated against by society.

I agree with the sentiments expressed by Deputies Healy and Ó Caoláin. It would be a positive outcome of today's work if we were to move in the direction of finally securing State recognition for deaf-blindness. The least members can do, collectively and irrespective of our political differences, is move in this direction.