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MINISTER OF STATE for Disability Issues Finian McGrath has said that he won’t be contesting this general election.
The Dublin Bay North TD is a member of the Independent Alliance, and first entered the Dáil in 2002.
In a statement released this afternoon following the confirmation of a general election on 8 February, McGrath said that he would not be standing for the 33rd Dáil.
“I have given this matter careful consideration and believe this is the correct decision for my family and me. I am far from retiring and will remain involved in political activism, supporting disability issues.
“I hope to spend time encouraging some of the 13% of Ireland’s population who have some form of disability to get involved in politics at a local or national level,” he said.
He thanked his late wife Anne, his two daughters Caoimhe and Cliodhna, and other members of his family for their support.
“Above all, it was a privilege to serve my constituents in Dublin Bay North and I would like to humbly send a heartfelt thank you to every person who voted for me at any time during my political career. Thank you. I did my best.”
McGrath joined the government as a junior minister through the Independent Alliance, which supported the Fine Gael government since the 2016 general election. He became the first Minister of State for Disabilities in 2016.
In his statement where he confirmed the election date, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar thanked the Independent Alliance for “having the courage” to support Fine Gael in government.
Minister for Communications Richard Bruton tweeted out that McGrath “served our constituents well and been great to work with in and out of government”.
His big heart, his playful personality, and his huge commitment enlivened many a Cabinet meeting. As the first ever Minister for Disabilities he brought a real change to people’s lives.
“He was always a loyal colleague and at all times treated both supporters and opponents with fairness and respect,” he said.
Health Minister Simon Harris said: “I would thank my colleague and friend Finian McGrath for all his work and effort over the last number of years. I have seen first hand his dedication and passion for public service. I wish him, his family and his supporters all the very best.”
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The scatter for the hills continues. They know they performed poorly in government and will struggle to get re-elected. Money made and time to move on.
@David Corrigan: Complete waste of space. And lacked sincerity. But no doubt delighted to take the flack and relish in his embarrassing rewards
He knows he’s done nothing. Listening to him on the radio yesterday morning listing his achievements. He was absolutely hopeless.
@Ed: exactly the same as all independents who propped up this govt. Took the roles, backtracked entirely on their independent mandate, and bailed out when accountable. All senior “independent” ministers – Ross, Zaponne, McGrath, Naughton supported FG and nothing else. Hopefully some fresh, true, independence in the next cohort.
@Ed: must have been a very short interview even listing off the achievements of the hole bunch of them.
@Brin: Looking at the list of names there, They were useless, McGrath wasn’t the worst of them, at least he was not controversial , You could add Hannigan, someone said He was pulling out too. Ml. Hearty in Clare was a good TD., so is Fitzmaurice in Roscommon. Them Healy-Rea’s are embarrassing to say the least. But then, look at Doherty, Harris, Murphy, Mitchell-O’Connor, Bruton, my God , They were woeful. Bring on change.
Similar to the history of the Irish Labour Party. Talks a great game in opposition and is a massive disappointment once in government.
@Ronaldo Blanc: “once in government”…. Being a minority partner is hardly in Government, especially with what was inherited. Same story for the Greens and how people abandoned them for what they did when they were “in power” with FF. (I’ll always love them for Dublin Bikes, smoking ban and plastic bag tax).
@Ciarán Ó Fallúin: He held a junior ministerial post, so he was most definitely “in government”. This is the second Dáil since the economic crash, so blaming what they inherited isn’t really a good excuse anymore. The previous Dáil inherited problems – the bailout, unemployment, etc. The current Dáil made new ones – housing crisis, homelessness, and they have increased the waiting lists in the health service. The Green Party should have brought down the FF-Green Party Coalition government when much earlier in their term.
@Ciarán Ó Fallúin: don’t forget those ridiculous fecking light bulbs they landed us with. Greens ? No thank you, bunch of airy fairy clowns
@Ciarán Ó Fallúin:
Whatever about the Greens deserving credit for the introduction of Dublin Bikes; the smoking ban was introduced in 2004 by Micheál Martin and the plastic bag levy was introduced by Noel Dempsey; both were FF ministers; Greens had nothing to do with either.
@Mary King: Spot on Mary! Greens trying to take the credit? Make ya laugh!
@Ciarán Ó Fallúin: Dont forget diesel cars they said everyone should go diesel
Became a Tory Blueshirt just like failed minister Shane Ross.
No loss.
Yesterday I got a quote for 9.5k for health insurance for my two autistic sisters. Slightly off topic but the minister should not let this happen, still no reply from his office
@Coco86: 9500 Euro for the year!?
@David Corrigan: Yep. Apparently they’re “statistically more at risk”. When I asked the guy more at risk as opposed to…… His answer was “normal people”
@Coco86: God Almighty that’s awful.
@Coco86: Not sure the circumstances but it is illegal to alter the price of a health insurance policy on the basis of health status. Community Rating applies, meaning it has to be the same price you or another health person would pay for the same policy. Prices can be increased for over 34s if they take out health insurance for the first time, but that is a set 2% per year, and related only to age and number of years without health insurance. Waiting periods can be applied to treatments for pre existing conditions, but what I infer from your comment is not legal.
@Coco86: I was under the impression that we cannot discriminate on the grounds of disability for goods and services. This is very much like the car insurances they can charge what they like. They were also told that they cannot load additional charges for people driving with disabilities, and yet it’s ongoing. This information is readily available all one has to do is ask for a quote as a “Normal” person and then request a quote giving the same details plus any type of disability. The price difference is quite unbelievable, and we are told for years it was addressed.
Statistics to-date indicates that people with disabilities are much safer drivers.
@Coco86: 4.25k each a year if it’s a top plan that’s about the price isnt it ? I know nothing about health insurance btw
@ed w: You are right, The Health Insurance Authority’s price comparison tool (hia.ie) shows plans up to €8.5k per adult (absolute madness!)
@Laz Mahon: I got the impression they wanted nothing to do with my sisters on account of their disability. Which makes me think that they would take a payment if I dug my heels in but refuse to pay out on a technicality if something were to happen. Insurance cartel at its finest
@Coco86: Arm yourself with the rules (here is a straight forward starting point: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/health_system/private_health_insurance.html).
Anyone can have any plan they want (see hia.ie to look up plans), and if you find you are getting a response that doesn’t fit with the rules, you can complain you the HIA. Best of luck.
@Coco86: so, the health insurance guy basically said autistic people are abnormal??
WOW!!
I would bring this further, especially as it is incorrect, insulting and another excuse to charge you an exorbitant amount on blatant falsehoods.
@Sarah-J. Mc Hugh: Its a reflection of Irish society 2020.
Presumably the conversation with the health insurance company was recorded (they all are). You should phone the health insurance company back and ask for a written transcript of that conversation. They have to give it to you (presuming they can identify you from the information you gave when you spoke to them). Then the fun begins…
@Coco86: Do they record the calls in that company. As you are entitled to the recording.
Then you can have some real fun with them
@Coco86: Are you entitled to obtain the statistical evidence for this loading on persons with autism?
The insurers have very sophisticated risk assessment tech, so get the evidence by pleading discrimination.
There are many persons diagnosed with varying degrees on the autism spectrum, so you are not alone in your quest for just treatment.
These insurance companies quote excessive premiums to certain categories to exclude them, on the definition that “normal people” are more profitable.
If they were covered by insurance before the diagnosis, then they should not be subject to any loading.
Money and pension sorted heading for the hills of prosperity – Looked after his own chosen disabilities sector and let the rest of us suffer
@TM B: His job was as the Minister for Disabilities, that was what he was supposed to try and look after.
As it happens the disability sector took more hits than any other since the crash.
Explains why he’s been on the missing list even more recently.
Happy Days. Another one ticket Indo gone.
Good riddance. Hopefully Ross and Halligan dont get back in. But I wont hold my breath
@Macker: Halligan Riding of into the sunset as well and good riddance…
Finish knew the game was up , a chancer who ended up in an important ministry , which was very unfortunate for people with disabilities .No loss
Good riddance
Great !
Delighted he is gone,back stabber.
Independents are going to get wiped out in this election. Complete busted flush
Well done for serving the disability community.
@Laz Mahon: did he do that?
@Laz Mahon: funny that absolutely nothing had changed for physically disabled, mentally disabled, down’s syndrome or any other disability service under his remit. Sure what would I know, having to care for each of the above in different capacities. Apparently, he talks proficiently.
Game up, now a CEO job in a disability organisation on €125000.00@ year, if his success at his ministers job is anything to go by, then they would be beating a dead horse.
Disability services in turmoil, services being cancelled respite nearly non existent, jobs embargo staff burnout. No Minister go
Every fool knows when there time is up
Totally useless anyway
He had done a poll, and knew his number up, that’s why his minion O Farrell not running to replace him which would be normal order.
Unsure what social Democracy really is? Our GE Candidate for Cork South West, Holly Cairns, was interviewed by the Southern Star – here, Ms Cairns lays out our shop, and what we stand for in a brief & friendly chat with interviewer Siobhan Cronin
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5K3HuGii0Pu8s0hSP0Epzt?si=myVtFW0wR1-tUalxhaZ2kQ
Was it he who had to ask the AG. for permission to pay or not to pay the water charges.
Chocolate fireguard
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