Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Recently, I met representatives from St. Aidan's advocacy group in Gorey. St. Aidan's provides services for people with intellectual disabilities. The St. Aidan's advocacy group, known as STAAG, represents the clients and users of the services and advocates on their behalf. In the context of the forthcoming election it has called for all political parties to have regard to those with intellectual disabilities, not only in terms of policies to ensure there is support for organisations such as STAAG, which work with those with intellectual disabilities, but also in the design and layout of manifestoes and election literature. There should be regard for those with intellectual disabilities, and they should be included. STAAG has been very active on looking at issues of accessibility. Particularly in the context of an election, it is important that all of us take this matter into account.

I wish to revisit the issue of the retail sector and the challenges it faces as a result of crime and shoplifting. People reading The Irish Times will see Ronan McGreevy's report on the challenges that small retailers face from shoplifting. When they accuse certain people of shoplifting, they face potential defamation cases. I have raised this matter on a number of occasions. Senator Casey and I have a Bill before the House to look at protecting retail workers, particularly where they have been subjected to harassment and, in some cases, some of the vilest racist abuse. These small retailers and service stations throughout the country are vital to all our communities. It is not acceptable that they feel they do not have the protection of the law. I ask that my Bill be considered and that we have statements on how we address the challenges faced by those in retail as a result of shoplifting and other crime.