Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Clonan for bringing the motion before us and I thank the Seanad Independent Group for using its time for it. I am very proud, as are Senators Flynn and Ruane, to have put my name to it. Senator Flynn has outlined the reasons the Civil Engagement Group supports the Bill. I want to very briefly add some commentary and before I do I will emphasise what a remarkable and passionate advocate Senator Clonan is for the rights of people with disabilities. The House is enriched by the contributions of Members who are able to share their lived experience.Senator Clonan powerfully articulated the massive strain the State’s failure to provide adequate care for people with disabilities places on their loved ones. I thank him for his wonderful passionate speech. He spoke with such emotion and it was very moving.

The proposed amendment to Senator Clonan’s motion emphasises the preliminary nature of the proposals to reform disability payments. However, it is absolutely mind-boggling that such a flawed system, seemingly based on the very cruel and arbitrary approach to disability supports that England employs, is being considered. I echo Deputy Paul Murphy’s advocation of the great Ken Loach film “I, Daniel Blake”, which depicts the horrors that disabled people face in such a system. I do not know if anybody has seen that film but it is very powerful and it would be awful to think that would happen in Ireland.

As the original motion lays out in great detail, people with disabilities are being failed in terms of the long waits for medical interventions, a lack of consistent access to personal assistants to allow them to live independently and the existing disability allowance being far too low for people in receipt of it to pursue creative or personal passions that are in the scope of their ability. There are many problems civil servants could be working out how to solve, yet they are at work copying the Tory party’s homework. It is shocking. This is a solid indication that if the voices of disabled people are reaching the decision-makers in government, they are certainly not being heard and understood.

One way we can ensure that people with disabilities can be heard by government is, as Senator Clonan said, to ratify the optional protocol to the UNCRPD. This would create an individual complaints mechanism that would allow people to raise issues with Ireland's compliance with the convention in front of the UN committee, which would be empowered to investigate breaches and make recommendations. There also needs to be reform to Ireland’s civil legal aid system to enable disabled people to litigate violations of their rights in our courts.

I am pleading with the Minister to accept Senator Clonan’s proposal. She has a good heart and is a good and kind woman. She has the power to accept the motion and I encourage her to consider doing so.