Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Before I allow members to comment, I wish to say that the Ombudsman will appear before the committee next week and we will ask him for his views on this matter and on Mr. Breslin's presentation.

I know my colleagues share the view that this issue has been dragging on for a crazy amount of time. I am deeply alarmed that it is over a year since we met the previous Secretary General in private session. The briefing we have received today is not hugely different from the briefing we received then - a year further on - on the issue of the rights of people with disabilities across the State. Recently, I heard the phrase "a circular filing cabinet" in regard to governance.

Something goes in and it comes round and round again but does not get addressed. I ask for an explanation. For people watching today and for people with disabilities, who have a profound concern about this issue and who have been before our committee and given evidence, how can we justify a period of more than a year, with essentially the same assurances that this is being prioritised? In his presentation today, Mr. Breslin assures us that this is being given priority. How can we genuinely say that? More than one year on, we still have not drafted a scheme, in consultation with disability representative groups, that deals with the issues raised by the Ombudsman. Those are my questions.