Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

When I was a Minister of State with responsibility for labour, I took a particular interest in trying to improve the lot of people with disabilities and their access to employment. The big problem was the lack of awareness among employers of the abilities and advantages of employing people with disabilities. I concur with the views expressed about Senator Quinn. I remember arranging a series of seminars throughout the country in addition to the one organised in Dublin by Caroline Casey. In Limerick, Waterford, Cork, Galway, Sligo and other big locations there was a significant effort to bring in employers and show them the Government supports that were available and the advantages. In particular, we had some of the more enlightened employers who already employ people with disabilities show the impact that such employment had on their companies. However, few people turned up.

One of the most telling things that happened to me when I was in that Department was when I participated in a programme on Galway Bay FM with the Gay Byrne of Galway. He asked me why people were not turning up at the seminars and why employers were not taking greater note of them. This person is also the chief executive of Galway Bay FM so I said: "How many people with disabilities are employed by Galway Bay FM?" He took two gasps of breath before replying, "Nobody". When I asked why, he said that they had never thought about it. That is the problem. I can legislate as much as I wish for the public or private sector but that is the reality.

I asked organisations such as Workway, which operates with FÁS, and the sheltered employment organisations for good examples of disabled employees. A little filling station outside Ennis is one of the most successful filling stations in the country. It is run by a young man with a disability. He is such a wonderful character that he attracts significant business. He is running the show. That is his ability.