Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

With respect, Taoiseach, it is not good enough. It comes down to what one believes in. One either believes that citizens have rights or one does not. A person with a disability has rights irrespective of the disability. Society must be shaped to meet those needs. This cannot be left to individual Ministers regardless of how well-intentioned they may be.

The Taoiseach spoke earlier about a republic of opportunity. What about a republic of equals? What about the pulse of our people, which is about access to decent public services, the right to a home, the right to a health service and, particularly the right to proper services to citizens with disabilities? The Taoiseach is a doctor and he is bound to know the stress caused to the families concerned. I was greatly moved by an elderly woman I met recently, whose son, who she has cared for all his life, is approaching 50 years of age. Every night, he walks up and down the stairs continuously. She cannot get a break.

Surely that should be a great priority for the Government, that they have a place in the Taoiseach's republic of opportunity. I want these issues to be dealt with and only use those cases as examples. Do these citizens have a right to equality? Can we also have an "Equality Yes" campaign for them? The Taoiseach has said what he and his Ministers have done. Will he advise us of the measures that will be brought forward in the forthcoming budget to provide these citizens with the care that they require?

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