Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent)

I have this unbelievable defect in my personality. Kevin, who is my assistant is sitting and watching me. He is actually not watching me because he is visually impaired - he is blind. Kevin supports this motion. He is a testament to how a visually disabled person can make someone who is parachuted in here as a politician and a Senator look fantastic. Kevin has worked tirelessly on this motion. He is a genius but he should not take that too seriously. The defect in my personality is that I love to see a critical path and I love to see things get done. I welcome the Minister of State saying that the value for money report will be published. I would love her to ring Laurence Crowley tomorrow and ask him what is the date. John Moloney was in this position in 2008 but it is now 2012. If we were in the private sector, we would be out of business. We must have a date. I was wrong about rushing legislation and Senator Moloney is correct on this point.

I lost a little disabled boy in 2008. Members should not take this the wrong way but Jonathan and I were quite pleased that he died for one reason because he had no hope. We always wondered what would happen if we died before him. Every other parent with disabled children wants their children to die before the parents because of the law at the moment.

There must be a sense of urgency for those parents.

I have nothing else to say in my very small summing up, expect that each and every Senator who spoke did so eloquently and passionately. Every single contribution was of great value to the Minister of State. We look forward to her leadership in this area in the future.