Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like to recognise and thank Deputy Pringle for providing us with the opportunity to debate these issues. I would like to highlight a specific issue that has not been touched upon yet today regarding people's human rights. I am one person present here, but so far today, I have received three calls on this issue. It concerns a basic human right. People who suffer horrific injuries, whether it is through the likes of a stroke, or through accidents or injuries, might end up needing to avail of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme. I have already asked the Minister why this scheme is not progressing. I will provide an example of the injustices that are done to people. At present, in Ireland, people think that scheme is open. They think that they can fill out the form and apply for the primary medical certificate. However, the truth is that they cannot. If the scheme is going to be suspended, the Government must come out and say that applications will not be processed. It must be open and tell the people that they are stalling that scheme. At the moment, people with serious injuries are waiting. They are trapped in their homes. I spoke to a lady on my way into the Chamber who told me that she cannot physically manage her husband or take him out of the house without the specialised car to which she is entitled.

Her application to the scheme is not being processed.

I want the Minister of State and the Government to tell people why this injustice is being done to them. I am sorry for concentrating on one issue but my colleagues have spoken, rightly, about housing and other issues and I did not want to repeat that. I wanted to deal specifically with this matter. I know Deputy Pringle will not mind me doing so. This is an injustice that affects people's human rights to get out of their homes, to be able to go for healthcare and to be able to travel by means of the specialised vehicles that would have the seats and other adaptations needed for them to travel as a passenger or as a driver. I want the Government to deal with that. When the Minister of State is replying, I want him to be honest, open and forthright and to tell people why those who are ill and those with disabilities are being denied that basic human right. All I am asking is that he tells the truth.

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