Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate my colleague, Senator Moran, for drafting the motion and raising an important issue. I welcome Cillian and James to the Visitors Gallery and others with an interest in the motion.

Ireland was one of the first states to sign the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at UN headquarters in New York in March 2007. It was a welcome act that Ireland signed the convention and recognised the right of persons with disabilities to live with equality, dignity and respect. These are important words. Approximately 10% of the word's population, or 650 million people, live with a disability. For too long, people with disabilities have been marginalised, excluded and denied their basic human rights. Housing is the related area of which I have the most knowledge. I am only too well aware in that context of the fact that people with disabilities are excluded from the ability to make the choice to live independently which other people take for granted. It must be noted that Ireland is one of three countries in the EU which have yet to ratify the convention on human rights for persons with disabilities. It behoves us, Finland and the Netherlands to ratify the convention without delay. Austerity and economic crisis are not valid or appropriate reasons to fail to ratify what constitutes a recognition of the basic human dignity of person with disabilities.

None of us can fail to have been moved by the Special Olympics event which was held in Dublin in 2003. The event in Croke Park was one of the most magnificent I have ever seen. It was deeply moving and had an incredible impact on the country. There were towns and villages across the country which sponsored or engaged with Special Olympics. On no other occasion have so many people come together to support a particular cause. The point has been made that early intervention is very important. We are very aware of it in debates on early childhood intervention. There are particular ways to spend money which have very positive outcomes socially, emotionally and, let us be honest, economically. Special Olympics and athletics for people with a disability open doors and present unimagined possibilities, not only for participants but for volunteers, coaches and other supporters. They give all of us a belief in a brighter future and an acceptance of every member of our society irrespective of his or her capacity. It allows us to understand that we all have something to offer our society. It is important to note also the effort that goes into this. Athletes train for months and coaches engage for years. There is an enormous, positive message that no matter what one's disadvantage in life, there is a role and a prize that anyone can achieve.

Special Olympics fosters inclusion in our society. We live in a society which, whether we like it or not, is deeply divided. It is not just divided for those who suffer from disability, which does not involve disability but rather a different form of ability. People are excluded financially or because they live in certain parts of towns and villages. They are excluded for economic reasons. Funding for Special Olympics is critical. It is not a luxury. Something like this should never be viewed that way. It fosters an inclusive society. That inclusion must extend across the gamut of Irish society. In 2003, 30,000 people from across the country volunteered to work at the world games. It was an incredible national achievement. I wish we could extend that cohesion across every aspect of exclusion.

Every Government can and should support Special Olympics, which represents a unique experience for those participating and for those who assist. I ask the Minister of State to take a positive approach to its funding.