Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will take up the option of covering off the three sections here and now. I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for her time and her commitment to this area, which I know is a major priority for her. I thank Senator Clonan for introducing the Bill and also the co-sponsors of the Bill, which includes the Independents, Civil Engagement Group, Labour Party, Sinn Féin and Green Party.

This is a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Disability Act 2005 and the Equal Status Act 2000 and to provide for related matters. That is the framework within which the Bill is being proposed. As Senator Clonan said, it has three sections so it is a pretty simple and self-explanatory Bill. There are no amendments, which is a point in itself. I believe the Government will support it, although there are concerns. The Government is the Government and it has to have an overview on it. However, Senator Clonan has made an exceptionally good, strong opening on this stage of the Bill and I thank him for that.There are some points I reflected on before coming in. Ireland is currently the only country in the European Union that has no legal requirement to provide all the supports listed in the assessment of need. Ireland lags behind many European countries regarding disability. People are entitled to a lot of supports but too often, these rights exist on paper alone. As a result, people are not always given the supports they need and are entitled to. They are cut off from the community and often relegated to nursing homes. That is the reality whether we like it or not. I know people suffering that fate. They are in nursing homes and should not be there but that is the support they have been given. People have a right to work and engage with their communities and a right to appropriate supports and services. In many cases, they are being denied. Everyone should have the opportunity to live a full, purposeful and meaningful life and to make choices about his or her own life. That is particularly important when you have a disability and you have so many abilities. That is an issue that needs to be addressed. At worst, some people end up institutionalised. We have a dark history of institutionalisation that we have to overcome. It is a slow process. We talk about emptying residential settings and about independence, dignity and respect for people who wish to live a full and meaningful life and avail of all their entitlements.

Ireland is in the process of ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Government has committed to ratifying the optional protocol. This would provide an accountability mechanism were a person's rights under the UNCRPD to be violated. That is an important point. This is in place in order that people will have that mechanism in the event of violations of their rights.

As Senator Clonan did, I acknowledge the Taoiseach is a strong advocate for people with disabilities, as is the Minister of State. The Taoiseach understands how physical and mental difficulties can impact on a person's life. He has his own personal experiences. He championed issues in terms of disabilities long before he came into politics. He shares Senator Clonan's vision of a fairer place for everyone and particularly has a strong focus on disabilities, as he indicated when he became Taoiseach. The UNCRPD helps to ensure people with disabilities are integrated into the community. That surely is a priority for everyone and I doubt anyone is against that. Everything in this Bill is consistent with the UNCRPD and would help to ensure Ireland adheres to its terms. While we have different groupings in this House and the Dáil, we all wish to see everybody included and given the rights and access they deserve.

I have worked in the disability charity sector. I have been a director of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. I have been involved in the deaf community as well. I have brought many of them into this House because it is important that they come here. I welcome the guests on both sides of this Chamber today and the many people tuning in to this debate because it is an important one.

Another reason the Bill should pass is it demonstrates the relevance of these Houses to the people outside of them, particularly the relevance of the Seanad. The Seanad was set up, in principle, for minority voices. It is a forum and an opportunity to give voice to people who otherwise would not have it. It is an opportunity for Senators to shine a light in some dark places. If we do nothing else but use this forum, this Chamber and our voice to shine a light, give voice and articulate concerns of people outside, we will have done a really good day's work.

I thank Senator Clonan. He is not only an academic but someone with a family and with lived experience of disability. He knows every day of his life the challenges for people with a disability and their family members. It really brings it home when he talks about and shares, as he does every day in this House, his and his family's lived experience, and that of the people he represents and meets through a network of advocacy he has championed for many years.Fair play to him. He has consistently articulated the views of people with disabilities and their rights. We want to be and should be an exemplar in access, equality, allowing people to develop their full potential and full ability and allowing people with disabilities to get all the services, and more, to which they are entitled. I commend this Bill to the House and I look forward to hearing the Minister of State’s response. While I note the Minister of State’s absolute commitment to it, I also know she is in government and there are bigger issues and big demands in respect of the reserves and resources. However, I believe we can come together. This Bill is a critical and important part of this process. I hope that the Minister of State and the Government will be in a position, as will be we in this House and the Dáil, to support this imaginative yet simple legislation that will be very effective.