Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am honoured and privileged to be appointed to this job and to be the first person at the Cabinet table to speak on behalf of people with disabilities. It is up to the members to decide if there has been progress. I believe I have made major progress because I have invested in services and I am transforming them. I have discovered many examples of bad practice and services, but I am trying to change and reform them. Conversely, I have discovered many examples of good practice. My focus is on investment and reform. I have received 100% support from the Cabinet and I am delighted to have received support from most of the Opposition parties. I urge members to judge me by my actions.

Today's announcement of the HSE's service plan will see a major footprint of disabilities all over it because we have managed to secure improvements in services, particularly for people with intellectual disabilities, but also for people with broader disabilities. I love my job every single day. Over the past six months, I have met over 4,000 people, comprising service providers, people with disabilities and people involved in the whole area, and I will continue with this work. By the end of December I will have hit my target of meeting everyone who works in the services.