John Dolan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I dedicate the couple of minutes allocated to me to the memory of Michael Corbett, a strong disability advocate from County Mayo. He was my colleague and friend and a great champion of people with disabilities throughout Ireland. I thank the Taoiseach for his attendance and his attention. Disability comes to every door and has a couple of hallmarks. It drives people into poverty and causes exclusion and these twin imposters conspire in a potent way to ensure people's hope and possibilities for the future are diminished. Ireland can and must work against these twin evils. In budget 2017, the Taoiseach has the modest but significant resources to make a strong start in respect of this matter.

Disability wreaks havoc in every community and group: urban and rural, among children, young people, adults and older people, as well as among poor people, those at risk of poverty, the squeezed middle and those who are well off.It does not spare any such categories. The Taoiseach has committed to ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the end of this year and to commence strong implementation. I ask the Taoiseach and his Government - and he has the choice to do this - to develop a good, robust social infrastructure that will underpin our economy and serve all the people when they have needs. Something like 50,000 or 60,000 people who are not disabled today will be disabled by this day next year. It is something that comes to every one of us. We know this in our own lives.

A good start in 2017 is vital after the years of difficulty that we have had. The Taoiseach should harness the resources of his Government and Cabinet and get to grips with this terrible dilemma, this running sore. Areas such as health and community services, income supports, cost of disability payment, employment and housing are the issues that will have to be tackled in faith when we sign. The Taoiseach will ratify with his signature the UN convention within the next couple of months. To do that with confidence and strength, he should make a good start in the budget. If he marshals €300 million of the almost €700 million available to him around this area, he will distribute and triage much-needed support for people and families all over this country. Restoration needs to happen across our public service. This is a potent way to do it. Michael Corbett was laid to rest today. It is our job not to rest until people with disabilities can take their full place in the values and participation in this republic of ours.