I want to raise issues about disability rights. I received a letter from a 12-year-old girl called Holly from Killiney in Dublin who was writing about her ten-year-old brother Ciaran, who is in third class in Our Lady of Good Counsel in Johnstown, Killiney. She is terrified about what will happen to him arising from the proposed changes to the provision of special needs assistants in primary school. I have permission from her parents to read this here. It was addressed to "Dear people of the Taoiseach". That is the Government Senators, by the way. She said her name was Holly and she was 12 years old. She writes: "I'm writing to you because what [you are] doing to “help” [neurodiversity is taking] away their SNAs". This is because the new allocation will be based on what is called primary need, a medical model of disability that is ableist and deterministic in its nature and contrary to the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I know there are Senators who are former Deputies from both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael who have experience in this area and who share this young girl’s frustration. Holly asked how they were going to help her family. Holly writes: "You guys remind me of another person in power (hint he's orange)" because they say one thing and do another. She explained that, if we were wondering why a 12-year-old girl was writing this, it was because her brother Ciarán was ten years old and had autism and ADHD. She wrote that, in case the Government thought what it was proposing would not affect him, it would because "people in the school [industry, by whom she means SNAs] don't just help [neurodiverse] people but everyone, the teachers, students and visitors". She asked, "please do something and write back."

She has taken the time to write to us. She has a little poster that the Leader might give to the Minister, Deputy Naughton. He might also ask the Minister why she is doing this. The poster reads, "Don't take away SNAs". Where are we when 12-year-old girls are writing to this House to find out why absolutely essential supports are being taken away from disabled citizens and schools? That denies them their constitutional right to education. For me as a parent and carer, this letter reinforces that it is not just the person with additional needs, but the stress it puts on their families. A 12-year-old girl is worried. Shame on us collectively. We had Government promises running up to the election that it would do the devil and all about disability rights but it is rowing back on SNAs. The elderly parents of disabled citizens are being told they are legally obliged to care for and accommodate their adult disabled children until they die. The Taoiseach and the Government have had to apologise for that. What trajectory is it on? At their parliamentary party meetings, will the Government Senators please prevail upon their Ministers to straighten up and fly right on disability because the people are exercised about this? They saw the result of the care referendum. There are votes in this even if they do not believe in the inalienable rights of disabled citizens, although I know many of them do. The Government’s actions speak louder than words. It is turning the clock back in every aspect of disability rights.

Hear, hear.

I know Members are aware of the Standing Order about props in the Chamber. I understand the Senator received it but Members need to be aware of those particular rules of the House.

I did not get what the Cathaoirleach said.

The use of material in the Chamber - slogans, banners, T-shirts.

I beg the Cathaoirleach’s pardon. Sorry.

I know the Senator is aware of it. It is okay. I just did not want to interrupt him.