Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I recall being in the House when a Bill passed Second Stage and moved immediately to Committee Stage in the Chamber. It happened with social welfare Bills slashing payments and entitlements and with regard to Anglo Irish Bank. If the Government is genuine and sincere, as I know are many Members in the Government parties, the order should be amended to take Committee Stage of the Bill next week and we should bring it through the legislative process swiftly. Parents and families affected by this will take with a healthy dose of scepticism the good words of the Government on not opposing the Bill if it is not very swiftly made law or the necessary regulations are not amended.

The Minister, Deputy Quinn, has been very slow to act on this issue and the fact Deputy McGrath, whom I commend, had to draft the Bill to try to force action and bring this issue to the forefront of public debate is an indictment of the Government. The Government has still not ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and I ask the Minister of State to address when this will happen. If we are to build a republic of equal citizens there can be no ifs, buts or equivocation; it can only be full equality for all citizens and all children. I hope not only will the Bill not be opposed but that it will swiftly be brought into law.

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