Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Sorry. I have a group here comprising Senator Paul Gavan, Senator Mark Daly and Senator James Reilly. I cannot read my own writing given how bad it is.

As Leader of the House, I have given a commitment that we will not stop or obstruct the passage of the Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill. It was on the schedule for this week, but at Senator Daly's behest, it has been taken off. Rather than have a Bill that does not achieve what we want it to achieve, and rather than have false information given, we have not been found wanting to date with regard to that Bill on this side of the House. We have been involved at every step with Senator Daly. I have not opposed him once on it. We on this side have worked with all parts of the deaf community on that Bill, whether family members, interpreters, political figures, the Department or the Minister. One might not think so, listening to Senator Gavan's contribution, but I wish to impress upon him that we have been doing so, as Senator Daly will attest. We want to see a Bill that can be enacted that can seek to give rights and entitlements to members of the deaf community who have been sidelined and marginalised for far too long.