Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

The fact that a matter may or may not be raised on the Adjournment does not prevent it from being raised on the Order of Business. The two are not in contradiction. I ask the Leader of the House to consider having a debate in the House on the issue. The Adjournment debate merely allows for one person to speak and a Minister to reply. I want every Member to discuss this issue.

Some 8,000 people are affiliated to People with Disabilities in Ireland. There is an active membership in County Roscommon. A local member, Mr. Michael Treacy, brought this matter to my attention. Mr. James McClean is chairperson of the organisation, Mr. Malachi Foote is PRO and Mr. Morgan McKnight is chief executive.

The word, "equality" should be removed from the title of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter. There is no equality if funding is removed from people with disabilities. How can the Minister claim to be the Minister with responsibility for equality and withdraw funding from an organisation that represents the most deserving and disabled people in the country? Some 8,000 people are affiliated to the organisation and they are in every town and village in Ireland. This is outrageous.

The Government can make decisions in this regard but Ministers should bear in mind the effect their decisions will have on the most disadvantaged people and those who deserve representation at this level. This is a shameful decision and it should be reviewed. We accept the need for cutbacks in this difficult time, but surely we should not hit the poorest people and those with the greatest difficulties and disabilities. There must be another way of raising the funds needed by this organisation. I ask the Minister to reconsider his decision and I ask the Leader to request that the Minister for Justice and, perhaps, Equality come to the House to defend his decision in this regard.