Victor Boyhan (Independent)

Okay. It is good to have that business out of the way.

At the outset, what can I say about Senator Tom Clonan? He is an amazing advocate. What we have seen here today is the lived experience, the man and the family that have lived with that experience of disability. I commend him. It has been a funny day for us in terms of care generally, given the earlier legislation. On the one hand, there is the Government’s concern. I do not doubt the Government's concern but there comes a time when one has to walk across the floor and stand up for what one believes is right. That is not the whip system. No whip system was ever introduced here but it has become a matter of practice in this House. This is the Upper House. We are a bicameral parliament. We are a revising chamber. Nowhere in the Constitution does it talk about a load of people sitting here in blocks of political parties. There is no provision for it. We all have to go home tonight, put our heads on our pillows and ask ourselves whether we did the right thing or whether we did what we were told to do by headquarters or at some parliamentary party meeting to keep a seat, keep ourselves in salaries and keep ourselves thinking that we are important. Now is the time to sit up, walk the walk, cross this floor and support what is a reasonable amendment. The amendment proposes a period of six months. As Senator Clonan said, we are talking about choice, independence, dignity and agency. Surely no one can make any excuses about that.

It is worth pointing out that this Bill had the support of the Independents initially and has the support of Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil, the Greens and the Labour Party. I thank all of those groups for signing up to it. Therefore, it must be somewhat frustrating for those in the Government parties to sit here and listen to the excuses given. Maybe that is why there are quite a few empty seats on that side of the House. It is not good enough. We cannot keep going out and saying that it is unfortunate. It is not unfortunate. We have it within our hand, within our grasp. Indeed, the Chair herself knows what it is like. She came in here and made many a case and experienced the difficulties and the frustration. I do not want to draw her on that because it would not be fair. However, having talked to her, I know how hard she worked. I know how difficult it is.

This is the Legislature. This is where we make legislation. This is where we put up our hands and say that we actually believe in something and we are going to see it through. So what if someone gets a slap on the hand or gets thrown out of a parliamentary party for six months? Is it better to do the right thing or to always be making the decisions of politicians or of the political party establishment?

I do not think this is unreasonable. I accept that the Minister made a good case about the pilot scheme. Indeed, Senator Murphy O’Mahony made a good case about the pilot scheme going through and the timing, which I accept. However, six months is enough, not 18 months. Let us get real. In the Minister’s own words and in the Government amendment, which is signed by Seán Kyne, a period of 18 months is proposed. However, the amendment talks about the personalised budget demonstrator pilot, which is expected to conclude at the end of the year. In the Government’s own amendment, it is accepted that this scheme will be at the end of the year. This is June. Six months is all we are asking for. I do not see any effort. If the Minister stood up and said she would reduce it to 12 months, that would be one thing, but no, it is 18 months because a group of people sitting around the Cabinet table have told us today that we have to toe the line, and that is decision.

It is about humanity. Let us not lose heart. Let us not be heartless. Let us respond to the needs of real people. To be sure, this story will be relayed in the media and politicians in government will roll up and give excuses. We cannot keep giving excuses. We have to stand in solidarity with people who need us and our support. It is incumbent on us to do that. When we look back on the work that has been done in relation to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, what does all of that mean if we can come in here today and proffer excuses for another 18 months? It is a very disappointing show. I will finish on that point.

I commend Senator Clonan, a champion and an advocate, who has put his head above the parapet on many occasions. I salute him for it. He will have our support on this side of the House. I wish him well. I beg and implore the Government Members to cross the House tonight and support this very reasonable amendment.