Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am very glad we have the opportunity to discuss this important matter today. I am not among those who has sought to score any political points or misrepresent the facts of this situation in any way, or indeed say anything to detract from the Minister of State's reputation as somebody who is deeply concerned about the services for persons with disability.

Having said that, I am deeply disappointed by what the Minister of State said and I call on him to change his position. I followed the earlier part of the debate on the monitor. I listened very carefully to what he had to say. What I heard were the speaking points of the IWA. It was an apologia pro vita suain terms of his approach to this in that he has not been guaranteeing what has not been questioned, namely, the availability of respite services. However, that is not what this issue is about.

I was involved in questioning the IWA representatives at the Joint Committee on Health last Thursday. I spoke at Saturday's march in Roscommon which was very well attended. Sometimes the word "choice" is misused and it can mask very wrong choices. I was not used to finding myself towards the front of a crowd with banners proclaiming, "Our Life, Our Choice". However, this is what is at stake. We are talking about some of the most vulnerable persons in our society who, along with their families, have a clear desire to continue to use this cherished resource.

The Minister of State has told us today - I have no reason to doubt him - that he had a meeting with representatives of the IWA and heard about its logic and its decision to transition to holiday services. While we heard all the language of moving away from congregated settings, things being progressive and innovative and references to the IWA having consulted its members, which was what they wanted, nothing in his speech suggested that he interrogated any of those claims.