Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I thank my party colleague, Deputy Brian Hayes, for tabling this motion. I support in full the expressions of the various Members of the Opposition. To fully appreciate the position of special needs children, their parents and friends, one must consider the circumstances that obtain from the time the parents suddenly realise their child has special needs, be they profound or otherwise. From this moment, parents set about, in every way possible, to give that child an even break. They do not always succeed but they make valiant efforts to do so. They go to the ends of the earth to find a means of doing so and they scrimp, save and make great personal sacrifices.

The State has a certain responsibility in addition to parents. It is ironic, given that there seems to have been ignorance of certain events in society, that people who took risks with the future of the people and the country seem to be absolved of all responsibility. It seems very harsh that, at this time, the Government is deciding to take it out on the vulnerable, the children with special needs and their parents and friends. What an appalling vista to unfold in front of us at this time.

This is regarded as a caring and compassionate nation. I appeal to the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, who is a decent man, and the Minister to visit some of the schools affected, such as St. Raphael's in Celbridge. I challenge them, having visited the mainstream schools, met the children and talked to their parents, to return to the House to tell us they do not care.

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