Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State and I congratulate the Senators who tabled the splendidly worded motion; I wish it every success.

One of the problems that has disturbed and distorted the work of the House since we were elected three years ago is that we have to give €85 billion to banks. On today's Order of Business we discussed terms of reference of the banking inquiry and that yet another insurance company is gone. We all want that money to go to anywhere else other than to those banks. What we are discussing today is what we miss out on. We regret as much as anybody that the Exchequer was just emptied in such a terrible way. That makes it difficult to meet the needs that are so well described in the motion and it deprives vital funds from going to address goals we all share. I wish to reassure those in the Gallery that we did not embrace austerity; we were forced at the peril of bankruptcy to spend that money. We would have much preferred to look after the people who are disabled and who are with us today. It is about self-empowerment and independent living.

Some progress is being made. In my examination in TCD tomorrow approximately six students will sit special examinations. They have gone right through the leaving certificate examinations and have come in under special entry categories. Tomorrow is their degree day and they have been an absolute credit. I hope the market will realise that in a smart intelligence-based economy based on computing and call centres relating with the public, the fact that some people do not have physical strength should not be a deterrent. As Senator Maloney has just told us, they are not sick. Participation in the community is supported of course.

One of the minor things that occurs to me is that the transport needs of disabled people are being disrupted by people who use their parking spaces. There was even a racket of forging disabled parking permits at one stage. I hope the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, adds extra penalty points to that because it is a heinous thing to do.

We support their equal participation through the Special Olympics and sports organisations. The facilities at venues and the games that disabled people can play are all wonderful things. I thank Senator Ó Clochartaigh for sharing time with me. We will do whatever we can as the situation improves. When this Minister of State comes in, she knows in Seanad Éireann she will be pushing an open door. I regret that the other things happened because they created the kinds of problems we all wish to see corrected. I thank those who came to our debate today; we are very definitely on their side and we will do whatever we can. It is really difficult in the present situation and I very much resent that and the people who caused it.