Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Thank you. I have not politicised this. I certainly did not invite representatives of Special Olympics Ireland in here to hear an argument. This is a good day to reflect, ten years after the Special Olympics, to see how the movement has grown, even with less resources. We could turn around and say that there have been cuts since 2008. Who was in power in 2008? We can turn it around. Allegations were made today about cuts that are simply not true. Some 43% of the population have medical cards at the moment. That is the highest percentage ever with medical cards. I am not here to discuss medical cards. The reason for the debate was simply to remember and to give us a sense of positivity. We have had so many hard debates in the last few weeks. We have debated the most difficult issues that have probably ever come before this House. This was a day to turn around and say that we are going through tough times.

In the debate this afternoon on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013, continuous reference was made during an amendment on fatal foetal abnormality to disability and to children with disability. However, when this debate is on today and we are praising the working being done in the area of disability, these people are not here. They did not contribute to the debate.