Mr. Ciar?n Delaney:

Senator McGreehan asked if we are listened to. We have a fantastic chair, Renée Dempsey-Clifford, who is just unbelievable. We also have a Minister of State who, if she does not get a proper answer from an official at a meeting, will make sure she gets the answer. That is why I said earlier that we have a Minister who actually gives a damn.

Senator Clonan asked why we are not getting it. What a question to ask an autistic person. I am going to tell him straight. We do not count. The disabled community does not count when it comes to the political system.

That is it. We had a situation with Padraic Moran whom Mr. Dolan has brought in here. I will not say who. I know about photocalls because I have been in here a number of times. A Member of the House asked if he could have a photo with him. Padraic has an assistance dog, Gail, that some of the committee members have met. He wanted a photograph with Padraic because it would look good on his Facebook page. He was not even from that person's constituency. Padraic Moran can verify that. You could not make it up.

Deputy Cairns asked about structure. Evie Nevin is from her area. How many polling booths have been adapted to allow people in wheelchairs to roll into them so that they may fill out the ballot paper properly? The Deputy asked about low-hanging fruit. The solution is very simple. We have legislation on other matters relating to disability that has been passed but is not being enforced. A simple example is with commercial coach services. The law has been in place since 2009 and we are now approaching 2023. The National Transport Authority has not implemented this. I was able to rebut all the excuses that we got.

Mr. Sinnott spoke about what he did as regards disability and the Deputy mentioned her issues. We know of one person, Andrew Geary, whose son is deaf and he cannot get the education he needs. It is a widespread issue. We in the disabled community need to be more united and more focused. That is why we are saying that we need to have a quota, have respect and be respected. I ask members to speak to the House authorities and see what they can do to expedite it. There are Members of the Oireachtas here who want to bring disabled people into the House and to have them issued with a pass such as the one Mr. Dolan organised for me. They are encountering resistance. I know that for a categorical fact. There are some brilliant Members who are supportive. I do not know whether the committee will revisit this in the new year.

Evie Nevin stood for election as a county councillor but was not successful. Mr. Dolan mentioned outgoing. The committee members need to go through this when they leave and have a look at how few of these have actually been achieved. It is not because of the failure of the members of the Disability Stakeholder Group to do their work, our fantastic chairperson, Renee Dempsey-Clifford, or the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, since she took office. If we did not have the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, God only knows where we would be. I say that as a personal observation.

I back up what Ms Costello said. I have permission on this because he said it in this House when Mr. Dolan was here. Padraic Moran has cerebral palsy. Mr. Dolan might remember this because he got a call one day. He was contacted and informed he was cured. He did not need any services. He had to prove that he had cerebral palsy and spasticity. I was initially informed by another Department that my autism would be cured in a year. That is the logic.

The ushers in this House are absolutely stellar in supporting us. Senator Seery Kearney made a comment about water. Those working in the self-service restaurant and Margaret upstairs in the coffee dock are wonderful. She always stashes a little container so that an assistance dog or a guide dog may have a sup of water. They are the people who help us get through this House. If I had a problem with autism when I was here, they were there to support. I wish to send a message to the ushers and to the catering staff that their work is appreciated.

I cannot reiterate often enough that we need to get people like Evie Nevin and Finian who has been appointed in here. Bring us back in here when you are bringing in the housing committee. We will go along and we will assist you in getting this resolved once for all.