Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join in the condolences to the family of former Minister, Deputy and Senator, Brendan Daly, and his in-laws. We recognise his life of public service. It is important we do that.

I have another issue to raise but I would like to second Senator Wall's remarks on a ban on gambling advertising. I support that entirely and recommend that the Leader should see it is promulgated. Will the Leader speak with the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy James Browne, or indeed the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, to make sure they hold their nerve on the gambling legislation? There have been suggestions in newspapers in recent days that it might be challenged. No matter what money is thrown at obstructing it, I believe the Minister of State and the Minister are serious about it but they must hold their nerve now. I ask the Leader to speak to them so that they are not intimidated by threats of court proceedings or whatever. The right thing is always the right thing.

We have full employment now but a report today states there is underemployment of people with neurological issues such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and so on. The disability sector is under-represented in employment. With full employment and good public finances we now have an opportunity. This is the time when we can do something really good and that is to move on employing disabled people. The same rigour should be brought to that as was brought successfully to reaching full employment. Now we must get full employment for people with disabilities in public services and incentivise it in the private sector to get it to happen. I would like the Leader to commend that. I will speak about this again on another occasion.