Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I surely to God am. Thank you, Acting Chair.

I thank Senator Clonan for all of his work on issues that impact people with disabilities in Irish society and his work on the autism committee. It is clear that in this House and on the disability matters committee, people genuinely care about the rights of people with disabilities and we are making some progress. Having the expertise of people like Senator Clonan and Senator Higgins, who is a member of the disability matters committee and has been doing this work for a lot longer than I have, is such an education for us all. I remember on one of my first days at the disability matters committee how it just clicked with me that people are not disabled; rather, society disables people with disabilities. Every single Wednesday at meetings of the committee, I find myself shaking because I am afraid I am going to get the language wrong. I do not want to offend people and I know there are Senators here who probably feel the same when it comes to Traveller issues and the use of words like "them" and "they". I know exactly what it is like not to have access to services and how difficult that must be for people with disabilities and their families. I was delighted, therefore, to co-sign the Bill with Senator Clonan. However, this is not about whether we signed it because the Bill is just a piece of paper. This is really about implementing the amendment to the Act of 2005 that Senator Clonan has put forward. That is really important. For far too long, we have been talking about how people with disabilities should have access to services. Having access to a service is one thing but getting the supports through a service is a horse of a different colour. It is very difficult. Again, we talk about access to education. We all have that access but the opportunity to be successful within the system is totally different.

I have learned from being a member of the disability committee that people with autism and other additional or special needs are denied access to mental health supports and services.Come on. People can have a disability, but they can have a mental health issue as well. People with a disability have minds like the rest of us, as do young children. They should be getting that adequate support our children deserve. It is on record at the disability committee that the chief executive - I do not want to put words in anybody's mouth or get it wrong - said that it is inequality and blatant discrimination that children with autism do not have equal access to mental health services in this country.

It is about accommodation for children with additional needs, as well as employment. We spoke about employment at the disability committee last week. Some people with or without disabilities enjoy packing boxes but that should not be the only job for people with disabilities. There are people with disabilities who can work in offices, who should be given that equality of opportunity, and not just push around trolleys and pack boxes, although of course if people choose that, they should be given that opportunity.

I will not go on and on, although I could. I am so passionate about equality of opportunity for people with disabilities. The Bill is a step in the right direction. We could sit here from now until Christmas talking about disability rights, but it is really about implementation. I know the Minister of State's heart is in the right place. It is not only her heart; she puts her money where her mouth is. I have every faith that she will act on these actions, if the Government agrees to support the Bill. I hope the Government will do that. If the Minister of State supports the Bill, I know she will give it not 100% but 150%.