Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Tá mé chomh bródúil a bheith anseo i mo Theachta Dála ar son mhuintir Cheatharlach agus Chill Chainnigh. As this is my maiden speech in this historic Chamber, I sincerely thank the people of Carlow and Kilkenny who put their trust in me to represent them in the Thirty-fourth Dáil. I remember my late parents, Jo Jo and Kathy Roberts; my uncle, Martin; agus múinteoir den scoth, Eamon Whelan, who all had such a positive influence on me. I especially thank my husband, Dean, and my children, Alex, Lissie, and Pippa, and all my family, friends and supporters. Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall ar ár son go léir.

As a former carer, and the first ever special needs assistant, SNA, elected to Dáil Éireann, the Taoiseach can imagine that support for those who need it most is a top priority for me in my role as a Teachta Dála. I welcome the strong focus on disability in the programme for Government. When will the new disability unit in the Department of An Taoiseach be established and what will it do?

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