Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)

I also welcome the opportunity to participate in this debate. I followed the debate in the Seanad on the issue which was productive and timely, especially when we consider the survey mentioned and the hardening of attitudes. It is right and proper that Deputies and Senators lead by example in dealing with disability issues. By having these conversations we can help to set out the strategy and, through legislation and our own attitudes, lead the debate in the right direction. We have a big responsibility to do this.

It is interesting that the three Deputies present in the Chamber represent the same constituency. We know each other outside the Chamber. Having served with the Minister of State in local government, I know she has always had and always have a genuine interest in this issue. That is why her appointment will reap benefits. She has mentioned that many of the policy initiatives we want to implement are dependent on receiving the co-operation of other Departments and Ministers. I hope that co-operation is forthcoming, as it is vitally important. We cannot use our economic woes or the recession as an excuse not to fulfil our obligations to people with disabilities.

The Minister of State mentioned the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which we have not ratified. I have spoken to the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, and the Minister of State about this. It is the Government's desire to ratify it as soon as possible. The legislation required to bring us up to the required standard, as well as the administrative work that needs to be done, are being examined. The mental capacity Bill will have a huge role in this regard.

I commend the Minister for Justice and Equality for bringing the Bill to the top of the political agenda. Much legislation is required in the justice area, some of which is troika driven. The Bill is scheduled to be introduced at the end of this month. A number of groups have forwarded submissions to the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality which they will discuss them with the joint committee and there will be a wide ranging consultation process which will benefit us. I look forward to the being Bill published and passed by both Houses.

We cannot use the current economic environment as an excuse to take our foot off the pedal with regard to the national disability strategy which will encompass many of the provisions that will enable us to ratify the UN convention. Speaking at a conference in Galway last December, a senior UN official said this was not the time for the Government to proceed at half speed in meeting its commitments to the strategy. He went on to say the recession presented no excuse for failing to meet these commitments. It is essential that the Government address the concerns of people with disabilities about the strategy and the manner in which it is being implemented. There needs to be real change in this regard. The programme for Government sets out the commitments to people with disabilities and states disability services will be a priority in the lifetime of the Government.

The Minister of State has cited transport as one of the areas in which there has been significant improvement. While there has been a significant improvement, there is more work to be done, as we saw last year when a case was taken against Bus Éireann which it lost. While we are taking gradual steps, there is more work to be done. I hope other Ministers and their Departments will give as much priority to this issue as the Minister of State has in recent months. If they do not, they will fail her, as the person with special responsibility but, more importantly, they will fail those who are relying on us to implement the policy that will enable them to live full and independent lives and give them every opportunity to participate in life. As politicians, we should fail neither ourselves not the people who depend on us.

Departments were required to publish disability sectoral plans. Are these recommendations being progressed? One of the commitments set out in A Vision for Change tasked the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation of tailoring its services to meet the needs of those with mental health problems to help them back into employment and help those in employment to retain it. How are these reports progressing?

Other aspects of the national disability strategy need broader dialogue. The allocation of funding in the budget is key to that discussion. We cannot progress without the co-operation of those with the knowledge, as the Minister of State has recognised. The people on the implementation group set up by the Minister of State represent all spheres of life, which is important. We cannot be seen to dictate to people. We have to listen to them and we have to take on board their views. They have to be part of the process and buy into it. It is much more likely to succeed if we do that.

We have mentioned the survey. There is no doubt it is a worrying development. We have to reverse that type of attitude and the only way we can do this is by leading by example. I want to assure the Minister of State that I, and my party, will support any policy on this issue brought forward by this Government. We all have the same view on the issue. People would not disagree that we need to prioritise this area, even in these difficult times. We need to lead by example. The Minister of State has our full support on this and I wish her well.

See this speech in context