Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

When will the Taoiseach act on the mandate he received from the people over two years ago, be a man and stand up for what he believes in and what he promised the people, and not blame everything on the past Government?

I heard John Dolan of the Disability Federation of Ireland on radio this morning. The Taoiseach had a path worn going over and back to Buswell's Hotel to meet him and make promises under the last Government but I heard the man say that he knew nothing about this. There were no consultations. I have a simple request. The Taoiseach might blame the Independent Members for not offering anything. When the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, has finished whispering to him, will he agree to defer this attack on these people until he works out all the promises and things he has said he will do and carries out consultation? Will he defer this decision for four months? The Taoiseach said the money is ring-fenced, which is great. He should have some compassion, defer this and change the legislation. Four months should be ample time. He should not cower behind the troika, as he did last June, the Ombudsman, as he did this morning, and everybody else he likes to blame, including the last Government, which he blames for everything. He should be a man. The Taoiseach should stand up and be counted. These people need this transport not only to go to the shops, to mass and to dental appointments but also to go to the polls to vote. They will pass a damning judgment on the Taoiseach and Jack O'Connor and the Taoiseach's friends in the Labour Party when it comes to it. He should be a man. Seas suas agus déan do dhícheall. I beg the Taoiseach to defer this until such time as we have dealt with it and passed the legislation. I do not believe the money is ring-fenced, but we will see when it comes to the point. Show me the money.

Is it true that the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, refused to meet people with disabilities in Limerick Hospital last week? I am very disappointed to hear that. I received a text during my contribution here from people with disabilities who were turned down for grants.

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