Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I and others have only a few minutes each because many Fine Gael speakers wanted to contribute. I wish to concentrate on the essence of the motion, which is summed up in the second line of our calls on the Government, namely, to make specific education services available to autistic children where it has been recommended by psychologists, without delay. Ironically, the Government's commitment in its programme for Government is exactly what we and the parents in the Visitors Gallery want. The Government's promise in the programme states:

Provide each child with special needs with the right to an Individual Education Plan. This will ensure that each child has a tailored programme to meet their unique individual needs. In the case of children with autism, the Plan will enable them to benefit from a range of teaching approaches, including PECS, ABA and TEACCH, as appropriate.

I wonder what the Ó Cuanacháin family thinks of this commitment.

Instead of outlining how the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, would deliver on those promises, she decided last night to embark on political attacks against Fine Gael in the House. She attacked Deputy Kenny for the terminology he apparently used at some stage in recent weeks and Deputy Brian Hayes for not turning up for a school visit organised by the education committee despite the fact that she has not visited an ABA school since becoming Minister.

See this speech in context