Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Fianna Fáil Party would like to be associated with the sympathies and regrets about the esteemed former Senator. We accept the Order of Business as outlined.

This is disability week. It is important that we recognise and acknowledge that. One way we can do that is by wearing purple. My own county, Kildare, has a number of events this week. Significant buildings around the county are being lit up and 250 disability network flags are being flown. It is also putting much emphasis on the Just a Minute card, or JAM card, so that if people are suffering in some way when trying to make themselves understood, being able to show this allows the person who is receiving the card to have a little extra patience and understanding. It is important.

I commend Limerick City Council. I heard on the radio this morning that it has launched an application for those who have wheelchair accessible vehicles. We all know how difficult it is when driving around cities and towns, trying to find a parking space. Imagine trying to find a space that is wheelchair accessible. It is really difficult. It is a wonderful initiative. I express the hope that other councils can take this up. People can download this application and immediately know where there is an available parking space for those who have a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Yesterday, I took part in a walkability survey in Rathangan. It was associated with disability week. It was done with transition year students. We walked around our town and looked at spaces that are barely accessible for those who are able-bodied. We all acknowledge the importance of walking or cycling to school, but we have to make sure that those routes are safe, both for those with disabilities and those who are fully abled. I commend the transition year students and their teachers on the project that they have undertaken. We will present that to Kildare County Council along with local councillor, Anne Connolly.

I want to mention two other areas. It was with dismay that I read an article in The Sunday Timesabout an Irishman and his British husband who live in England. They have two children. They received a parental order under British law, which is recognised in Ireland, but the Department of Foreign Affairs refuses to grant their son, who was born through surrogacy, an Irish passport. The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 states that a person is an Irish citizen from birth if, at the time of his or her birth, either parent is an Irish citizen. Their marriage is recognised by our law and the parental order, but while this married couple and their two children are part of a constitutional family, recognised by Irish law, and they absolutely should have a right to pass citizenship onto their children, this has not been agreed to. In this day and age, it is a disgrace and we need to call it out.

The Connecting Ireland initiative is important for our rural areas. There is a new plan for a connection from Athy to Rathangan. It is important that we extend that to Allenwood. The blueway goes through Allenwood and Rathangan, and through Lullymore heritage park, which we are proud of. Many people from Rathangan work there. Some work in community employment schemes. If they do not drive, they have to get taxis. The Connecting Ireland initiative needs to be extended.