Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I am very reluctant to engage with my colleague on the other side of the House on what is essentially a political charge. No Senator on this side spoke about the Government clapping itself on the back. Mr. Tony McQuinn, chief executive of the Citizens Information Board, who is neither a Minister nor speaking on behalf of Fianna Fáil stated:

This is a very good day for people with disabilities in Ireland as a national advocacy service is introduced. I would like to thank the 46 organisations who generously provided the opportunity to run a pilot advocacy service over the past five years. The pilot service demonstrated the importance of advocacy for people with disabilities in having their voices heard and the choices respected.

I suggest Senator McFadden engage with Mr. McQuinn and perhaps make the same political charge, telling him that it is about the optics and a waste of time, and see what he has to say about it.