Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I warmly commend Deputy Finian McGrath for bringing forward the Bill. It is fair to state he has a good consistent record of supporting people with disabilities and their families. He has been particularly tenacious in supporting people with Down's syndrome. I also wish to put on record the support of the Acting Chairman, Deputy Peter Mathews, for the Bill and for the urgent need for resources to implement it. The fact he will not have an opportunity to speak shows the interest of Deputies in the Bill. The debate could easily have continued for hours. Other Deputies will also not have a chance to speak.

The all-party campaign led by Deputies Regina Doherty, Róisín Shortall and others deserves tremendous credit for supporting the re-categorisation of Down's syndrome resources as resources for children with low incidence disability. I cannot understand why Down's syndrome is not already on the list of low incidence disability as contained in the Department of Education and Skills circular SP ED 02/05. The case made by the national campaign on the matter is particularly compelling given the cost factor to which Deputy Ross referred. The Bill should not just be put on the clár and left there like a number of other Bills which have been taken on Friday mornings. The Minister, Deputy Quinn, should immediately implement it.

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