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Simon Harris and Holly Cairns RollingNews.ie

'All you do is slag me off': Taoiseach and Holly Cairns clash in Dáil over disability services

Harris told Cairns: “I don’t need a lecture from you on lived experience.”

TAOISEACH SIMON HARRIS and Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns had a heated exchange in the Dáil today, after Cairns accused Harris of failing to invest in public services. 

During Leaders’ Questions, Cairns reiterated that the creation of a standalone Department of Disability would be a red line issue for the Social Democrats after the upcoming election. 

She said the current Government has “let down” disabled people, despite Harris’s promise that disability rights would be a priority for him as Taoiseach.

“You even set up a new Cabinet sub committee to focus on this issue. What has it achieved? Nothing.

Services are worse than they were when this government took office, people no longer even have any kind of expectation that they’ll get the critical supports that they need.

“They’ve learned by experience that the only things they’re guaranteed from the state are waiting lists and excuses,” Cairns said. 

The Cork South West TD added that Fine Gael has been in Government for most of her adult life and despite having more than enough time and money, has failed to address the issue. 

She also accused the Government of “splashing the cash” ahead of the election, with its various double social welfare payments before Christmas. 

In response, the Taoiseach said he believes her suggestion of a standalone Department of Disability “has merit” and is a “constructive, sensible one”.

He added that he hopes Cairns is “telling people on the doors, which of the splashing the cash payments” she would like to see cancelled. 

“Because I invited you the last time to email me on this, and you haven’t.”

The Taoiseach then told Cairns “not to lecture” him on the lived experience of disability. 

Harris has frequently spoken of how he first became interested in politics as a teenager because of a lack of services for his autistic brother Adam. Adam Harris is now the CEO of the national autism charity AsIAm.

“I know my lived experience. I know exactly what it’s like to have to fight every single day for a service. I know exactly what it’s like to watch my mother have to get in the car and drive two hours to get my brother to the school.

I don’t need a lecture from you on what the lived experience is like.”

The Taoiseach then said Cairns had a “good idea” in relation to disability and that he would work with her in relation to that, but added:

“The disappointing thing is, all you wanted to do is slag me off.”

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    Mute HEADWRECKER
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    Sep 16th 2011, 2:55 PM

    Why do you think he’s asked dopey !!

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    Mute Donal McCarthy
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    Sep 16th 2011, 2:49 PM

    Why the hell is Nick Leeson always asked for his opinion on stuff like this? (and not even just this – other matters financial as well)

    It’s like asking Bernie Madoff for investment advice.

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    Mute Kevin Smyth
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:44 PM

    Yeah Donal. Sure what would HE know about any of this.
    From wiki:
    Barings Bank (1762 to 1995) was the oldest merchant bank in London[1] until its collapse in 1995 after one of the bank’s employees, Nick Leeson, lost £827 million ($1.3 billion) due to speculative investing, primarily in futures contracts, at the bank’s Singapore office

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    Mute Stephen Johnston
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    Sep 16th 2011, 8:39 PM

    “It’s like asking Bernie Madoff for investment advice.”

    No, it’s like asking Bernie Madoff how Ponzi Schemes operate – and fail. It’s going to an expert for his particular expertise – and who knows more about how this stuff happens? I don’t always agree with Nick’s opinion pieces on The Journal, but they’re always interesting.

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    Mute Donal McCarthy
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    Sep 17th 2011, 7:58 AM

    Gee, Kevin – thanks – I didn’t know who Nick Leeson was.

    He is a convicted criminal who’s actions bankrupted a bank and cost loads of people their jobs. The only reason why he is famous is because he was the first person in the modern media age to do something like this.

    This does not make him an expert on anything.

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    Mute Joseph O Reilly
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    Sep 16th 2011, 4:13 PM

    Why isnt david drumm facing the same consequences…

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    Mute Alco Holic
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    Sep 16th 2011, 7:22 PM

    A sur its not the Irish way. Hic!…

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