Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome everything the Minister of State has said. To be honest, the system is broken. If the system were not broken, I would not have to address the Minister of State here tonight and raise the issue on the floor of the Dáil. Unfortunately, as I outlined earlier, it is sad to think - this is no disrespect to any other county - that someone who may be in County Galway has to go looking in some other county to be facilitated. While it is welcome and while I am not saying we are against it, it is sad to think that this is a matter of where you come from or close to where you come from. No one is looking for “my back door” stuff. What needs to be understood is that it is a last resort when someone puts up their hand. It may be parents who are looking for the help of full-time care. They will have tried everything in their power and they will have worked as hard as they can. They will have done everything they can to make sure they will make a good life for their loved one. It is a matter of trying to think of the future and making sure they will have a future of security above all and that they are looked after properly for the rest of their life. As I said, this goes for every county in the country. I am not talking about “my back door” stuff.

I want to also put on the record of the House for anyone who is watching that John Fitzmaurice has the same name as me but he is nothing to me. In fairness to him, we have spoken to him. My staff have spoken to him on numerous occasions, and he has helped us in cases. I hope this case can be resolved because it is urgent, but there are other cases as well.

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