Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Mansergh for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I listened carefully to what he said and I have no difficulty in agreeing 100% with his sentiments. How it deals with issues such as this is a measure of any civilised society. Certainly our society should be mature enough to deal in a sensitive and sensible way with these issues.

I have taken careful note of what the Senator said and I will examine the issue as a matter of urgency. Overall responsibility for general Government policy on the rights of people with disabilities is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.