Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

It is extraordinary. We live in very difficult economic times, but we must have a serious debate on this issue in this House. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister with responsibility for disability strategy should come into House today to respond to what has been outlined by those individuals who will gather at the gates today, who are experiencing first hand cuts to their care, cuts to their respite care. People who are at the edge of their coping, who are full-time carers, will now be pushed even further-----