Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to reply briefly to Senator Paddy Burke who asked for flexibility to be shown to the horse racing industry. At one point he requested that no action be taken by the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, which is frankly quite shocking. I know first-hand from my time as a trade unionist the level of exploitation in the horse racing industry. For him to request that no action be taken is disgraceful. It is about time the Fine Gael Party stood up for workers' rights for once as opposed to employers' rights.

I know the Irish Sign Language Bill will not go through this week, but it is to be hoped we will have it in September. Last night we had a very good meeting in Limerick, and some of my colleagues in Fine Gael attended, where the deaf community expressed particular concern about the potential watering down of the Bill. First, I acknowledge the very good work done by Senator Mark Daly and I acknowledge my colleague, Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, for supporting this Bill. I understand progress is being made. Last night we heard very heartfelt pleas by members of the deaf community. In particular, one lady explained that if she had to go, God forbid, to the Rape Crisis Centre, she would be supplied an interpreter in Dublin but not anywhere else. There is real concern that unless there is a legal underpinning for the deaf community, especially for the voucher system, we will end up with well-intentioned legislation that does not enable rights.

I was intrigued by one comment posted to the Facebook page for the campaign. It was alleged that a civil servant said, "If we do this for you then other people will want equality." Is that not a good thing? We should all be in favour of equal rights. Will the Leader invite the Minister to come to the House as soon as possible in order that he can reassure us? I expect that everyone in this Chamber is willing to support the Bill as drafted by Senator Daly. We should not short-change the people in the deaf community. If we can afford tax cuts for the wealthy and reductions in capital acquisitions tax and inheritance tax, surely we can afford some decency and equality for the deaf community in Ireland.