Mr. Pat Carty:

Just to add that, I know Ms Cox said we should not have to apologise. With 30-odd years in wheelchair and having a disability, I do not have to. I have to thank the State, because I benefited from the old regime, where there was the motorised transport grant and all that. I did not avail of it, but it was there. It is now 30-odd years later and I am in full-time employment. There is no rebate for tax or anything. I pay for everything the same as everyone else in the Seanad and Dáil today. Sometimes, I am not a great advocate for people with disabilities. However, someone asked, “Are you not out there daily, leading your life?” When I look at it like that, I think that I am very lucky. As I said, I am involved with the GAA wheelchair hurling. I see other lads there who, with the way it is at present, will never be able to afford a car to get a job, to keep going, to pay taxes and to be self-sufficient. I have to thank the system that was there was there in my time. As I said, I am fully self-sufficient and lucky. However, for the people coming behind, we have to do something.

I was an able-bodied person but now I am disabled, so I see it from both sides. No disabled person I have ever met has said, “The Government of the day should look after me.” As disabled people, we do not want to be haggling and crying the whole time. All the procedures should be in place so that the young people coming up can have independent lives and contribute to society.