Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister and the Minister of State will be aware, this Bill has the potential to be really transformative and make Ireland a leader in supporting those who need assisted decision-making. Unfortunately, I do not believe the Bill goes far enough in that regard. We need to do more. I have dealt with major issues in my constituency and nationally in the context of the existing process and how it has failed. We know that there is a need for this Bill, and we want to support it. My colleague, Deputy Ward, will bring forward amendments on Committee Stage. As Deputy Ó Cuív stated, this is something we have waited generations to fix. We all appreciate that.

I acknowledge that is very a complicated area and that a great deal needed to be done to get the Bill to this point. However, an opportunity has been missed. We could have gone further. We need to listen to the stakeholders, we need to take on board what they say and we need to include them. These are the people on the front line. They are dealing with the issues and they have a better understanding of what legal changes we need to bring into being with the Bill.

My colleague, Deputy Ward, and Sinn Féin, will bring forward amendments to improve the Bill and will work constructively with the Government. We will do our very best. Having listened to previous speakers, the tone is that we want to get the Bill right. People want to work together to try to achieve that.

Unfortunately, successive Governments have failed those with disabilities. We have seen that with children not being able to access therapies. We have seen it when people with disabilities have not been able to access suitable housing. We have seen it - in the discussions only yesterday and today - with people not able to afford adaptation work because the grants are not sufficient. People with disabilities need to be listened to.

We also need the Government to implement fully the UNCRPD, which would see vital infrastructure put in place to protect those with disabilities and improve their quality of life. There is so much we can do and that we need to do, to ensure that every citizen has the entitlements they deserve. Sinn Féin believes that we need to build a society of equals and diversity: a society where disabled people are supported within our communities where possible, and where everyone is given a fair chance.

This Bill can be a step forward. We want it to be a massive step forward in creating a society where, instead of missing opportunities, people will get a chance if we support them. I urge the Government to listen to what has been said today by Deputies, listen to the advocacy groups and approve this Bill. We know that we can do better, but we also know this Bill is needed.

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