Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today is UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities. I have just come from the Joint Committee on Disability Matters where we had an exceptional, inspirational and challenging meeting with Special Olympics Ireland, Trinity Pathways and WALK in Drimnagh on their incredible work.

Every Christmas, I look forward to the RTÉ news report of the children from Chernobyl arriving in Ireland. It is always very moving. On this day, when we remember disabilities, I wish to speak a little about them, because while they are not Irish citizens, they are part our Irish family. They live in archaic institutions. They are loved, supported and wonderfully cared for by Adi Roche and everybody at Chernobyl Children International, CCI, and all its families and supporters.

People with disabilities living in institutions are the most vulnerable but their vulnerability has been exacerbated by the appalling combination of the pandemic and the political instability that surrounds them, which has caused extreme regression. Children who were once going to school and were supported by the life skills and restoration of rights programme run by CCI, now do not know their own names and spend their days rocking backwards and forwards. It is so sad. They will not get to Ireland this year because of the circumstances. CCI is sending a container and I will exploit my position by asking anyone who can to assist in paying to send that there so that we can send Christmas to Chernobyl with all our hearts.