Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Is the Taoiseach aware of the great disappointment and, indeed, anger in the disability sector and among people with disability at the Government's refusal to adopt their proposals to salvage the flawed Disability Bill which is now on Committee Stage? The disability legislation consultation group was set up by the Government to facilitate an input by the sector in the framing of the Bill but is the Taoiseach aware that later today, the DLCG will consider its future, including the option to pull out of the process and of opposing the Disability Bill outright?

Will the Taoiseach confirm that the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, told the DLCG that the Government will not meet its five minimum demands? Is it also the case that the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, said there would be no purpose in the DLCG meeting the Taoiseach on this grave issue? Is that the Taoiseach's view?

What role does the Taoiseach believe the DLCG can serve if its minimum recommendations to salvage this legislation are not taken on board by Government? I avail of the opportunity to make a last minute appeal to the Taoiseach. Will he use the opportunity of Committee Stage of the legislation to ensure the key and critical proposals of the DLCG, which represents the entire disability sector, are taken on board and enshrined in the legislation and that we have legislation which meets the needs of people with disability and removes the shame of further conflict with that sector?

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