Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

To follow on from what Ms Gibney said, it is important to have a twin-track approach. Complaints procedures must be put in place now so that when the optional protocol is in place, everything will be in place.

I heard the Secretary General say "as soon as possible". What does that mean in months? Is there a deadline? I would like a specific date. Without hanging anyone out to dry, it is important that we get that information.

My sole purpose as a member of this committee is related to my belief that disabilities have been treated in the wrong way for many years. There are many things happening that I would not be proud of as a legislator, as I said the first day I became a member of the committee. It is important that we start to put things right.

I welcome the fact that the Department is taking responsibility for disabilities but there is a major task ahead because there are so many facets to the problems on the ground that are not being addressed, as raised in every public representative's office. They are wide-ranging. The main issue is that parents and families are so frustrated and have to fight so hard for what should be a basic human right for their child, brother, sister or other individual. We talk about putting money into systems and so forth but the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, being from my constituency, will concur that the important point is that the money should go where it should be going, namely, to the person with the disability.

I do not have very many questions. The optional protocol is essential. It is essential that it be delivered and that there be a timeframe in this regard. There is no doubt about that. With it will come all the systems by which complaints can be made. We have a fractious system for allocating funding to organisations and it is characterised by multiplicity and complication. Parents, especially when they find they have a child with a disability or special need, find themselves in a swarm of paperwork and new terminology. It is important that we cut to the chase in the services we provide and make sure they are streamlined and co-ordinated in a way that helps the parents. That is the kernel of what I would like to see happening.

Today is crazy with meetings so it is not with disrespect that I will be leaving in about ten minutes; I have another meeting to go to.