People with disabilities need jobs, not condescension and handouts

LAST Saturday, the Irish State re-enacted the oration of Padraig Pearse at the graveside of Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa. 

Invidiously, there are those for whom the declamatory refrain that “Ireland unfree shall never be at peace” is a reality about to be re-enacted again. Their colonisation is set to be reinforced by the sympathy and consideration of the Irish state.

It’s funny how some principles are free, but others come at a cost we won’t pay. In February, 2011, three days before the last general election, Miriam O’Callaghan, on RTÉ, in the final leader’s debate, put forward three key social issues to Enda Kenny, Eamon Gilmore and Micheál Martin. They were: gay marriage, a children’s referendum and disability. The party leaders were fulsome in their commitments on disability.