Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I support amendment No. 5, which proposes to deleted the word "Disability" on page 5, line 30, and substitute it with the words "Rights of Persons with Disabilities". We are referring to the core issues in the legislation when we speak of the rights of people with disabilities. It is important to reflect that the disability movement and in particular people with disabilities have been talking with and lobbying us over recent months as well as sending us messages. They have encouraged us to stand with them in respect of this Bill. One of the largest organisations is namhi which represents some 28,000 intellectually disabled people, those who provide services and parents of people with intellectual disabilities. It has strong views on this legislation, and it is important that all Deputies, and especially those in power, listen to their voices and not simply look the other way and hope the other groups will stay silent.

It is also important to listen to parents of people with disabilities, in particular those with younger children, such as Pat O'Hanlon, mother of Ryan O'Hanlon, and Marie O'Donoghue, mother of Paul O'Donoghue from Cork. When these people contact us and ask us to raise specific issues with regard to the promotion of the rights of people with disabilities we have a duty as legislators to listen to them. Over recent months they have been saying that justice delayed is justice denied.

The Minister of State is constantly referring to budget resources and extra allocation, and we accept that has been announced. During the debate on the budget I welcomed the extra resources that would be provided in 2005. There was another roll-out of an extra €900 million between 2002 and 2009, which I also welcomed. However, those involved in services and people with disabilities are also saying these moneys must be targeted so that they can make a real impact on the daily lives of the 400,000 with disabilities awaiting and demanding services.

We have a duty to listen to people with disabilities. Nigel Brander, who has a disability, is national chairman of PwDI, an organisation is involved in the disability sector. On his discussions with politicians, he says:

To them I say we are looking for equality, to be treated on an equal basis as other citizens in this country. You cannot say: "Sorry, you cannot have the health care you need", or "Sorry, there are too many children this year so you will not get an education" or "We do not have any housing to give you". So, why do you say it to people with disabilities? Give us the stepping stones so that we can stand alongside everyone else as equal citizens.

Mr. Brander has a very valid point. There is no problem about wasting money and resources in other Departments, but there is always a problem in respect of people with disabilities.

I strongly urge people to support my amendment because it adds to the legislation. It is progressive and adds depth and teeth to the Bill. Deputy Stanton said that it was amazing that in such a short debate the party that calls itself the Progressive Democrats is not involved on any level. That is a disgrace. It talks about issues of equality and justice and regularly lectures the nation. However, it makes no contribution to defend the rights of people with disabilities. We know what that party's agenda is in respect of the rights of all citizens. One is not top of their political agenda if one is unemployed, an Aer Lingus worker or a person with disability. We should not be afraid to state that in this debate. It is important that we do so. Amendment No. 5 relates to the rights of people with disabilities.

I get extremely annoyed and let-down when I hear people taking about services coming on stream. That is pie in the sky and we need to ensure that services are there and that people with disabilities have these services as a right. I do not accept that people must ring our offices because they cannot get respite in 2005 after the massive allocation in the budget. Something is going wrong within the management and structure of the services and it must be challenged. It is not just a question of legislation, but also a question of the management of services. Elderly parents of people with intellectual disabilities are unable to get day care or respite services. A few hundred people on the north side of Dublin are on the waiting list for some services. That is amazing and it is not acceptable. People talk about respecting people's rights but that is a complete disregard for their human and civic rights. It is also very much part of this debate. I urge Deputies to support amendment No. 5.

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