The one clear message the Government is sending out today to people with disabilities, because of the long-winded amendment the Minister is tabling, is that people with disabilities have to wait, wait and wait again. His message to them is that they should accept second best. It is the same for carers, the people who look after them. However, it is particularly the case for people with disabilities, who everybody in this House accepts have additional needs and additional costs because of those disabilities. People with disabilities want to be treated and respected on the basis of their individual abilities. At each and every step of the way, from when they are born through childhood and into adulthood, they face battles. We have moved countless motions in this House on children with disabilities who must wait for assessments of need, who must wait for access to a therapist, who cannot get a special school place and whose parents are battling for them. If they have a mental health issue, they must wait for access to mental health services. As they enter their teens and adulthood, they find it difficult to get employment. When they get older, they have unique issues, difficulties and challenges as well. They expect that the State will have their backs. Despite the many billions of euro that the Government has every year in surpluses, which people hear a lot about, we cannot look after the most vulnerable in society. The Government turns its back on people with disabilities, who simply ask that exceptional needs payments and emergency payments be provided to deal with the reality of the cost-of-living crisis right now, today, tomorrow, next week and next month. The Minister, reflecting the usual position of the Government, is saying it will kick the can down the road and might do something in 2027. I do not see too many people holding their breath that it is going to happen. I am afraid that for far too long when it comes to disability, we have not treated children or adults with the respect they deserve. We are not treating them on the basis of equality and we are certainly not doing everything possible to ensure they can live full lives in the same way as everybody else. That is the least they deserve. I am extremely disappointed that the motion moved by Teachta O'Reilly and all of the measures we have outlined – practical, deliverable and realistic proposals that would make a real difference right now for people with disabilities – are not being accepted. It is a slap in the face. There is no other way to characterise it, and it is deeply upsetting and disappointing.

Sentiment score: -0.02