Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the response of the Minister of State and thank her for the work she has done to try to progress this matter. The word "inequality" keeps popping up. All we are looking for is fairness and a level playing field for the people of Monaghan, Cavan, Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim. We want those people with disabilities to be treated no differently from anyone in any other part of the country. That is all we are looking for. I note that discussions are ongoing but I hope they will gather pace in January.I am not going to put the Minister of State on the spot here; I would not do that. Is there a ballpark timeframe for the conclusion of those talks? Would I be too optimistic to say we are perhaps at the beginning of the end? I would welcome her thoughts on that.