Seanad debates

Tuesday, 26 June 2018

2:30 pm

Photo of Rose Conway WalshRose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to express my solidarity with and send my best wishes to the family of Pat Finucane who today launched a bid in the UK Supreme Court in London to hold a public inquiry into his murder. The need for an inquiry was agreed at Weston Park in 2001, but the need for truth and disclosure is widely accepted and needs all sides to be supportive of these efforts. Some of the documentation from the British Government has been quoted. Its exhaustive previous examinations have laid bare some very uncomfortable truths. Paid state agents were directly involved in the killing, including the only man ever convicted of involvement in it. Lord Stevens's conclusions paint a picture of a system of agent running by the RUC special branch and the army. I want to wish the Finucane family well. Families should not have to spend decades in courtrooms in order to access the truth. Where is the Autism Spectrum Disorder Bill 2017? When will it come back before us? While it is not a panacea for the issues surrounding autism and the supports and services that are needed, at least it will go some way to addressing some of the issues through amendments. It is a matter of deep concern that this Government chooses to propose a rainy day fund when I hear from parents all over my county who cannot get respite, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and all the services that children and adults with autism should be entitled to as of right. It is disgraceful. There was a meeting last night and I commend those in Belcarra in Castlebar who organised it. We cannot think of rainy day funds until the most vulnerable people and families in our State are looked after.

People should imagine, while they will leave here in a few weeks' time, and may work in their areas or whatever, what it is like for a carer looking after up to three children with autism to be told he or she cannot have one, two or three days off in the year. It is not right and it must be fixed. Carers need respite as well. They cannot do their job. They cannot function properly. They are working 24-7, 365 days a year and they need a break. They must be prioritised before any rainy day fund. We saw what was done with the last rainy day fund, the pension reserve fund, that was hived off to the bankers. It is wrong and it must be re-examined.

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