Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chair for his very kind comments and I thank the Minister of State for her very kind comments and good wishes.

Important legislation to facilitate the implementation of the protocol is to be passed by June. The key message is that the necessary legislation will be passed in 2022, which then means that we can implement the protocol in that year, which will be a good day's work. On this day, which is the day that recognises people with disabilities internationally, we have to recommit ourselves to the challenges. Access to transport is extremely important. It means people have the liberty and freedom to go places, do things, participate in leisure and access employment.The one equality issue in this country is access to work. If someone has access to work, they are in a position to earn money, pay taxes and live independently. That is what everybody in society aspires to and it should be available to people with disabilities as well. Anything the Government can do to facilitate people with disabilities accessing employment should be done. I thank the Minister for her genuine commitment in the work she does.