Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Two minutes is a very short time. I compliment my colleague on bringing the motion before the House. Three Ministers have spoken in the House tonight but none of them addressed the problem of the appeals mechanism that was set up under the 2004 Act. This is wrong. If an Act is passed in the Dáil, it should be implemented. The Government is breaking the law by not putting in place the appeals mechanism.

It is a disgrace that families from all over the country, including SNAs, parents and children, need to come here tonight to fight for their rights. The Government should prioritise education, including special needs education. That it is not doing so is wrong. It is wrong that we do not look after the most vulnerable.

Deputy Barrett spelt out the circumstances that obtain very clearly. The children with special needs need support and help from the Government. Any Government that would not give them support, money or the backing they need must be held to account. For too long, children with special needs have waited. In the past few years, they got some small support from the Government. However, what does the Government do the first time there is a downturn in the economy only attack the most vulnerable. It is wrong and the backbenchers on the Government side know it. That is why they should side with Fine Gael and the Labour Party and tell the senior Minister and her Government colleagues that we are not taking any more. It is wrong to have parents worried about their children's future and that a Government would not give them the support they need.

The Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, and the backbenchers have an opportunity to support us tonight. Doing so will send out the right message. If the Government can find money for the banks, it can find money for SNAs and special educational needs.

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