Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I too want to welcome the spirit of this motion. We have discussed this issue on many occasions and it is extremely important. Independent living for those who are living with a disability is a fundamental civil right. This includes the right to work, the right to travel and the right to live.

In the past, the situation for those who were living with disabilities was one of exclusion, marginalisation and stigmatisation. That happened in the past. While we have gladly moved on, there is such a long way to go in relation to disability rights in Ireland. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD, was very welcome, but the optional protocol is still a vital part of disability rights.

An issue that is very important is accessibility of transport for those who have a disability. As Deputy Boyd Barrett has said, the Access For All campaign has been really good in highlighting the issues that able-bodied people take for granted. There is the very simple issue of lifts in train stations that just do not work. While we can go down the stairs, that is just not possible for those who are in a wheelchair. If a lift does not work, then a person cannot access the train. Can you imagine how demoralising that feels for somebody who is in a wheelchair? It is really demoralising. That should not be the way.

Thankfully, Irish Rail has tried to address some of these issues where lifts should be working. They are the basics. Even accessing trains and buses is quite difficult. You have to give prior warning and so forth. If you want to travel on the Dublin Express to Dublin Airport, you have to give 48 hours' notice. You have to give 24 hours' notice for the inter-county buses. You have to plan your day and make your travel plans. Nobody's life should be subject to availability. These things should become as normal as possible for those who are in this situation.

It is important the Government listens to those who are campaigning when it comes from the heart and from real-life experience.

The motion sets out a number of issues, including the fact the primary medical certificate needs to be reformed in a big way. It is very arbitrary and completely outdated and it needs to be reformed in a big way. Many people have contacted my office about it and they are extremely frustrated about how it works. It needs to be updated, revised and reformed in order that people who need access to that form of funding can get it.

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