First of all I want to thank Mick, Ned and Toni for the   invitation today to open and chair the BRI AWARNESS Weekend.

I also want to welcome all of the voluntary groups including the different carer Associations, Irish Wheelchair Association, Spinal Injuries Ireland, Peter Bradley Foundation, Headway, Brain Wave, Teenline, Road Safety Authority, Ahead, Aware and the Disability Federations.

The main purpose of today is to raise awareness about acquired Brain Injury and how it affects people and the community as a whole. We are also here to promote BRI itself and the important role it plays in advocating for change. And that is the way forward for this Country, for this state and for all of our people. Our message today has got to be one of hope and building a caring society that looks after our citizens that are based upon respect, compassion dignity and equality. And yes, it is a time for patriotism but patriotism has got to be about looking out for BRI members, including our sector citizens, our people with disabilities and our young children. Any society that does not do that will lose the respect of its people and we have all witnessed that in recent weeks.

Yes, it has been tough in recent times with the downturn in the economy but lets be honest and realistic, not half as tough for those with acquired brain injury or other members of our society that need support. However, we have to ask ourselves that when these so-called tough economic decisions have to be made, WHY are the elderly, the sick and the disabled at the top of the hit list? That is not being tough. To cut and attack vulnerable le people should never be an option. It is the easy option and has the fingerprints of people that are not thinking about a caring country.

When there is an economic downturn you can always have sensible borrowing to stimulate the economy and create jobs. Cutbacks on current and capital spending will only depress our economic activity and growth. In the build up to the budget I made submission point out sensible ways to fund services and called for bold and brave decisions that protect the vulnerable, senior citizens, children and the disabled.

BRI know full well the reality of the need for quality services. I urge people today to support BRI in their efforts to raise awareness about Acquired Brain Injury. I commend all of the people associated with BRI and I thank them for their dedication, commitment and service to our community.


THANK YOU

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