Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am thoroughly enjoying the "GunPlot" podcast series dealing with the saga of the 1970 arms crisis. The third episode of the podcast was released this morning with five more to go and a documentary will air on television on Wednesday night. It is a pity we had to wait 50 years to have that level of investigative journalism, which has come in the wake of the release of Michael Heney's book last year. It is great that we are now getting to the truth of what happened then. It is heartening and enlightening. I look forward to the day when the names of people who worked for the State are cleared. I refer to people such as Captain James Kelly and Colonel Michael Hefferon.

Like Senator Carrigy, I also listened to the Ryan Tubridy show this morning. I was struck by the garda sergeant's telling of the story of his son who along with 5,000 other deaf people struggle, getting through their childhood, getting through education in particular, and finding work and a purpose in life. He referred to the Proclamation and how our children should be cherished equally. With that in mind, I ask the Leader to invite the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, to the House to discuss this.

Listening to that father this morning talking about his son and the fear of never being able to hold down a job was terribly upsetting. Things can be done for these people, as has been done in the past for children with special needs and their parents. Work is being done in different Departments and State agencies throughout the country. Some are being employed but we can do more, and I would like the opportunity to discuss that with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte.