It is customary for a copy of the Minister's speech to be provided during Private Members' business and it is regrettable that was not done on this occasion. It is also regrettable that in a ten-minute speech, it was after eight minutes that the Minister decided to turn to the substance of the motion. Not all of it, but a lot of the contribution did not specifically address the items in the motion. That is regrettable. On the approach of putting the responsibility on local authorities, they obviously have a role to play. However, it is not clear from what the Minister has said, and families will be asking and wanting to know, what targets are being set for 2027 to 2030. Are those targets going to meet all unmet need? What is the situation on that? While local authorities have a role to play, all responsibility cannot be shifted onto them. There needs to be ring-fenced funding and a clear plan directed by the Government. Without that, all we are going to be doing is making piecemeal progress. I thank Deputy Quaide for his work on this motion. I thank everybody who is involved in the Before We Die campaign. I have had the privilege of meeting families and parents of adults with intellectual disabilities in my constituency. They have shared their stories and experiences. Of course, they should not have to do that. They should not be put through that to get access to what are basic human rights. One parent who contacted Newstalk earlier in the year described being in an elderly couple, struggling significantly with health issues. They were told by a very good day service that there were simply no places. They will, sadly, die sooner rather than later because they get zero respite and never get a chance to recoup their energy. They were told that their son could be put anywhere in the country. That is the experience of parents all over the country. When parents die, an adult with an intellectual disability, their family member whom they love and care for, is left stranded. At that time, the person with the intellectual disability loses their mum or dad, their carer and advocate, their home and community, and potentially their friends too, all at the same time. It is incredibly traumatic and distressing. It is cruel. There needs to be ring-fenced funding and a clear plan. The survey that was carried out showed that caregivers are asking for a proactive, multi-year transition model. They want their loved ones established in supported living or residential care while their parents are still alive and healthy so they can visit, help them to adjust to a new routine and ensure a smooth, trauma-free transition. That is not too much to ask. I will read what was stated by one of the parents who contacted us as part of our survey. The parent, who is from Dublin, said that as an elderly parent, they are absolutely terrified about what will happen to their lovely son when they cannot care for him anymore. They do not want him put out to tender to the highest bidder like he is a job lot. He is, the parent said, a beautiful, loveable human who deserves better than this. A parent from Galway described what it is like, at almost 70, to look at your 30-year-old daughter, who has tried so hard to live a good life despite her multiple challenges, and yet keeps giving to those around her. The parent said that they know in their heart that this country, and especially the policymakers, have abandoned her now and will continue to do so just because she is not characterised as a valuable voter. The parent went on to say that "heartbroken" is often a term loosely used, but as elderly parents they live a life of being exhausted and heartbroken.

Sentiment score: 0.04