26th March, 2002
Dr. Henry: I welcome the Minister but not the Bill. It could be described as the "stop Kathy Sinnott and her ilk" Bill. It is extraordinary that it is produced just before the election.
I was at a meeting in London yesterday to discuss the problem of litigation relating to obstetrics and the high number of cases that are taken regarding cerebral palsy and other problems and disabilities in children which parents believe to be associated with birth injuries. The number of cases taken in this country is much higher than in the UK. One doctor said something very depressing, that it was only after she had visited Ireland and seen the standard of care we provide for people with disabilities that she began to understand why people took these cases. They were so desperate to do something for their child, they thought that if they could ascribe the condition to birth injury - perhaps they believed it was due to birth injury - and secure substantial funds as a result, they could do something for the child because so little is done.
The Minister has secured more funds for educationally deprived people but this Bill is not the solution to the problem of education for people with disabilities. I support Senator O'Toole's contribution. I did not see this Bill until 2.30 p.m. today. It was extremely difficult to go through such a long Bill. In fact, I do not know if it deals with behavioural disorders, which is one of the most difficult problems for the people who contact me about their children. Last week I voiced my gratitude to the Minister for including mental illness alongside mental disability in the Residential Institutions Redress Bill. However, there is so much in this Bill to be considered that I cannot see how it can possibly be done tomorrow, along with what else is planned.
I support Senator O'Toole's comments on this matter. I hope the Bill can be withdrawn so we can examine it more thoroughly. Let us hope we will be back in the House to do so at a future date.
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