I welcome the Bill tabled by Deputy Ó Ríordáin and I thank the Labour Party for using its limited Private Members’ time to advance this legislation. The Social Democrats are strongly in favour of the Bill and its intended outcomes. Awareness of autism and neurodiversity more broadly has increased in recent years. Developmental needs of children are finally being recognised and diagnosis of adults illustrates how the condition has been so misunderstood for decades. Disgracefully, this wider awareness has not been ma…

The Minister will be aware of the pressing need to develop the existing Bandon relief road. The town has been waiting years for this improvement but at the current pace, it will be years before the project is completed. It is a historic walled town with a strong community of businesses and local infrastructure. Outdoor spaces have really enhanced the area recently. However, large numbers of heavy goods vehicles and other large vehicles are being forced through the town because of the inadequacy of the relief road. …

I move amendment No. 2: In page 6, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following: "(e) section 85(7);" I express my opposition and concern about the speed and inaccessible nature of the Bill. It will have far-reaching consequences for disabled people, older people and individuals experiencing mental health difficulties. At all stages it has excluded them. There has been no meaningful engagement with disabled people and disabled persons' organisations. There is still no easy-to-read version of the Bill. The amendme…

We all have much to say in response to the Minister's comments but given we have 90 minutes for 60 amendments, there is no point in continuing the discussion on these. The Minister seems set on them. I really hope there will be a change to these in the Seanad.

If this may go past the recess, why is the legislation being rushed through? The Minister told us before it was because of the need to end wardship but now there are amendments to extend that. Nobody has any clarity on why it is being rushed through if it is okay to continue deliberations after the recess.

I move amendment No. 5. In page 6, after line 34, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 3 of Principal Act 5. The Principal Act is amended by the substitution of the following for section 3: “Recognition of legal capacity 3. (1) ‘Legal capacity’ means the ability to hold rights and duties and to exercise these rights and duties. (2) The exercise of legal capacity may be achieved either: (a) by the relevant person, acting legally independently, and with decision-making supports and reasonable accommodation …

When the Minister says he does not accept that position, I hope he is aware he is basically saying he does not accept the position of the UNCRPD committee. This issue is very clear. There is no ambiguity. Retaining the functional test makes the Act not compliant with the UNCRPD. We are at risk of repeating ourselves but I am going to because it is important this goes on the record. Paragraph 15 of the UN committee's general comment No. 1 states: The functional approach attempts to assess mental capacity and deny le…

I thank Deputy Connolly and the Independent Group for bringing forward this motion, which the Social Democrats fully support. I welcome this opportunity to discuss respite care. This motion goes to the heart of how the incredible role of carers is continually overlooked and undervalued by the Government and the State. The inadequacy in the provision of respite care is a symptom of a much larger issue. Carers are absolutely essential and provide incredible support every day, with disgracefully little State assistanc…

I welcome the Seanad amendments and any changes that will help to improve this highly problematic legislation. I acknowledge the adopted people and their advocates who have been fighting for the most basic changes, and the Senators who argued for the improvements as well. We all wanted to get behind this Bill but, regrettably, the major defects and injustices remain. The mandatory information session, labelled a barrier by numerous human rights experts, is still in place and the Bill still does not feature the word…

For clarity, is it the case that we cannot vote on the Bill in its entirety now? Is it just the amendments?

Is the legislation then passed with no-----

In that case, I will put on record my opposition to the Bill in its current form without the changes we spoke about.

Is that normally the case?

Does the Bill come back to the House again for a final vote?

It just passes automatically.

The Taoiseach will be aware of Emma O'Sullivan, a young woman in Cork city who has had to start to fundraise to get treatment for an eating disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD. She is fearful that she will never recover from these illnesses through the public mental health system. Emma has no choice but to seek costly private treatment. People are being incredibly generous in donating, including a bake sale at Ballinlough community centre at the weekend. A bake sale to raise money for potentially life-s…

I strongly support opting in to the EU directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. It outlines key principles around support for victims and survivors, better co-ordination in State services, safe reporting and respect for victims' privacy in judicial proceedings. All of these have to form the basis of a State architecture that is designed to respond to the needs of women, children and men affected by domestic violence. However, I am regrettably sceptical that the directive will have any pr…

The Minister will be very aware of the main challenges faced by the arts, culture and live entertainment industry across the pandemic. While the live performance sector welcomed her support, a major issue is the rate at which funds are being distributed to venues. Will the Minister outline her actions to ensure the timely distribution of these supports as quickly as possible to prevent the permanent closure of some venues?

I thank the Minister for her response. What I am hearing from venues in west Cork is that there is an interconnected importance between the amounts being received and the timing. Crucially, there is a misalignment between the demands of the sector and the manner in which the Department operates. When I raised this issue last May, there were also cases of venues not receiving funding they were promised for pantomimes in December. Venues have to plan months in advance. Any schemes designed to buffer against uncertain…

I thank the Minister. Will she clarify whether there is a new date by which the grant has to be spent? She will be aware the sector, as well as other arts venues and the wider hospitality sector, is experiencing increasing costs. Local employers in particular in these sectors are highlighting with me rising energy and insurance expenses, and I am sure she is hearing the same from all the venues she cited, given she seems well aware of many of the ones in west Cork. Just as these businesses are beginning to recover …