Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The House will have seen the tragic case of the Ó Cuanacháin family who now face a legal bill of €5 million following their attempt to pursue the rights of their child through the courts. Eight years on after the idea of a Bill to provide education provision based on the needs of an individual was introduced in the Dáil, we still do not have an appeals mechanisms through which parents who feel their needs are not met by the Department can appeal without going to the courts. How can a Government stand over a situation where no appeals mechanism is in place which can be utilised by families?

Yesterday, the outgoing Taoiseach indicated that a Bill being introduced to the House should have two weeks before it is debated on Second Stage. The would-be incoming Taoiseach is telling us that we will have two working days before the Finance Bill is to be considered by the House. Is that an indication that the Bill is so light that we do not need to give it serious consideration?

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