Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Corcoran Kennedy to the House. I thank the Minister, Deputy Harris, for his remarks. I compliment Senator Reilly on his initiative not just in bringing the Bill before us tonight, but also in persevering and ensuring that we have this debate tonight. Senator Reilly, who is a good friend of mine, will forgive me for welcoming his wife Dorothy and his son Jamie to the Gallery. As the old cliché goes, behind every good man is a good woman. In this case, beside every good man is a good family. I know that Dorothy along with Jamie in their own right have been tremendous champions and advocates, on which I commend them. I do not think it is inappropriate to pay tribute to them or their work and advocacy.

The Minister spoke about a national strategy being a living document. It is about the lives of all our fellow citizens. As Senator Kelleher said, it is about being able to access educational places, supports and services, and also treating people with respect and dignity. It is important that tonight's debate is about ensuring we have a strategy that reaches out across all parts of our country. We acknowledge that there are gaps and deficits and that there is a need for investment. Tom Cruise's infamous line "Show me the money" certainly must come to fruition here.

I acknowledge that we are on a journey and we have all-party support for this Bill. In response to Senator Wilson's remarks, as Leader of the House I say we certainly will not be found wanting in bringing the Bill from Second Stage to Committee Stage. In his remarks the Minister mentioned consultation. I say to Senators Reilly and Wilson that we will not have any inordinate delay from this side or from this House in assisting this Bill in its journey across the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Others have referred to the people in the Gallery. It is important we thank the people in the Gallery, the members of all families and the people who are advocating.

My godson in the United States is on the autism spectrum. He can dismantle a car and put it back together in a couple of hours, but certain simple tasks take him forever. When I appeared on local radio with P.J. Coogan this morning I was reminded of a conversation with my godson where he said, "You know, I'm seen as being different, but I'm not." P.J. Coogan, who has a son on the autism spectrum, mentioned this morning that in the past people would be viewed as being odd, different or being cast aside. Is it not wonderful that as a society we are now becoming inclusive through education and employment and through our policies?

That is why tonight is very important. It is about putting in place a national strategy. That gives it value and puts value on Government. Today we attended the launch of Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell's report on death and dying. It is about having a cross-departmental approach and ensuring that each person's uniqueness is celebrated and that the characteristics, values, personality and skills can be delivered to their fullest potential. As people will know from my speeches in this Chamber, I am a big fan of Maslow. We must always allow people to reach their full potential no matter who they are or where they are from. The Bill is about ensuring we value every person in our society.

Senator Kelleher and I have a shared experience of being involved with Cope Foundation in Cork. Last Thursday night I was very proud to attend the 60th anniversary to represent my father, who is a former chief executive, as was Senator Kelleher, to recognise the importance of all people. That is why I have taken heart from the Minister's remark about the need for a whole-of-government approach.It is not about the Department of Health or a single Department. It is about education in respect of an autism spectrum disorder unit or the provision of a place, whereas Senator McFadden commented on getting intervention or diagnosis and Senator Devine referenced the waiting time to be assessed. It is about a whole-of-government approach. That is why the Minister's reference to the role of the HSE is important and I welcome the setting up of a working group. However, it cannot simply be a working group that will speak to itself and go no further. It has to be able to have consequences and a follow-on. That is why it requires political leadership.

A part of me would have loved it if Senator Reilly had been a Minister when we had money in our country, because he was a man in the Department who had a vision and who was in a hurry. I really wish he had been a Minister when we had money in our country. What we are seeing today in this Bill is the future part of his legacy. As Members, we need to have political leadership to ensure that we pass the Bill through this House and on to the Dáil without delay. That is why tonight's debate is absolutely healthy and necessary.

We all accept that waiting times are excessive. We need early intervention; it is absolutely necessary. Those of us involved in the education sphere recognise the importance of early intervention. If we invest early, it prevents later difficulties and consequences in our health system that could be avoided by such early intervention. It is important that we broaden our approach in education in terms of how we can improve access. Senator McFadden referred to the issue of inclusiveness and so on. Eight themes emerged in the Minister's speech. I will not go through them all because my time is up but it is worth looking at them and what they stand for or represent. They are a focal point for us and they must be part of what guides us.

I commend Senator Reilly. I thank all Members for their contributions and support on Second Stage. I hope we can work together to ensure the Bill becomes a reality, rather than letting the thing gather dust on a shelf. It is important that we act collectively.