Irish Examiner view: Dáil Éireann should not be a forum for autism misinformation

As the 'Irish Examiner' reports the testimony of parents struggling to get an education for their children with special needs, a TD stands up in the Dáil to utter unsubstantiated 'rubbish' about autism

Danny Healy Rae has not responded to our questions about his remarks about autism described by advocates and TDs as 'unbelievable... unhelpful... deeply uninformed... pure rubbish'. File picture

It was bewildering, to say the least, to hear a TD making unsubstantiated suggestions about autism in the Dáil but such was the week that was.

During discussions on a motion about special schools, of which the country does not have enough, Kerry TD Danny Healy Rae said “it seems to me that many more are presenting than in my younger days.