Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State mentioned the cultural change that is required. We are at a moment of cultural change. The narrative and our public discourse around disability is changing. Irish people now see it as a fundamental human rights issue. Everybody here in this Chamber - our guests, the Minister of State and her officials - has played a role in facilitating and accelerating the change. I really believe that.

When I first started lobbying back in 2011 at the start of the crash, I am sorry to say it, but I would characterise my interactions with Ministers – people now make representations to us - as being very hostile and adversarial. That changed in 2016 when Finian McGrath was appointed as Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities. I felt in my interactions with him and then with other Ministers that it was no longer adversarial or hostile, and that we were at least being listened to.

Since 2020, when the present Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, was appointed, I see a continuation of that positive trend. There is absolutely no doubt about her commitment. I do not know her very well, but I do know her to a certain extent. We have had quite a few interactions and I know her to be a person of great integrity. She is in an exquisitely painful position from time to time. I appreciate the work that she does. I hope we can continue this work.

I have other legislation, a much more comprehensive piece of legislation based on the social model of care that provides for independent supports for disabled citizens. When it is fully drafted and it comes back from the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers - I have a 33 page White Paper to accompany it – I will bring that immediately to the Minister of State and to all of my colleagues across the House. I will make sure she has full sight of it and that the details on it are fully circulated to her. I hope we can continue this conversation.

I thank all my guests for being here this evening. Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. I thank the Minister of State. This is a great moment. I hope we can go to the Dáil bar and celebrate it.