Seanad debates
Friday, 27 June 2003
Order of Business.
I was not in the House to hear the speech of my colleague, Senator Minihan, yesterday. However, according to newspaper reports, strongly caustic comments were made in relation to people using the Special Olympics for some political purpose. I never came across that. What I did observe was the use of this event as leverage to secure the requirements of people with disabilities. That is a perfectly legitimate approach which I fully support. Like other Senators, I received another letter today, referring to wheelchair facilities being closed down from Mitchelstown to Clare. We are perfectly right to use the Special Olympics for leverage. That is not partisan or political, though it may represent a pinch for the Government. That is what Governments are for and we are perfectly right to use leverage.
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