Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

"Command" is a big word but it is about working together. My ability and that of the Minister of State within the Department and across government is seen in the very significant delivery of funding for disability in this budget. The Minister of State led the charge on that. That €100 million is very significant for next year. It is not commanding; it is just working together and pointing out. The Taoiseach feels very passionately about this issue as well.

I agree regarding the importance of getting disabled persons' organisations involved in the setting of policy. The network set up by the Minister of State will be essential but that is also a key part of our responsibilities under the convention. It is because of signing up to the convention that we are now setting up this network to bring disabled persons' organisations into the process in a way that has not been done previously. One thing we learned when we engaged with groups early on was a sense that they had been marginalised in the process up to now. It is my hope and intention to ensure that this network reverses that.