Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach as ucht an ábhair seo a phlé. Today, at a briefing organised by Teachta Ó Caoláin, Shelly Gaynor and James Cawley from Independent Living Movement Ireland, Sarah Lennon from Inclusion Ireland, Cathy Moore from Rehab Ireland, Allen Dunne from the Disability Federation of Ireland and Joan Carthy from the Irish Wheelchair Association told us that, without adequate services, citizens living with disabilities were like prisoners. In County Louth I work with many groups and individuals who advocate for services for people with disabilities such as Parents and Friends of the Intellectually Disabled, the Louth respite group, WALK PEER and others, all of which I commend. They have fought a battle a day with successive Governments over the lack of funding, planning and resources, which is contrary to the UN convention. It took 11 years for the Government to ratify it, which was not good enough.

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