Danny Healy-Rae criticised for linking autism to 'lack of vitamins'

James Cox

Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae has been criticised for linking autism to "a lack of some vitamins" in the Dáil.

Mr Healy-Rae has been criticised by colleagues and autism advocates over his comments.

During debate on a motion from Sinn Féin on special education, Mr Healy-Rae said: "Minister, it seems to me that autism and many of these complex needs are on the increase, we need to do more to find out what is causing it and if there is a reason.”

He added: "It seems to me that many more are presenting than in my younger days. And even when I was going to school, it didn’t seem to be an issue at all at that time — very few anyway.

“So I’m wondering, and I’ve asked this question here before in different debates: is there something causing it — a lack of some vitamins, or what is it? We need to address that part of it as well, ministers, because there could be something causing it.”

Sinn Féin spokesperson on special education Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh called on Mr Healy-Rae to withdraw the comments.

"I was genuinely shocked at his remarks that I deem to be extremely disparaging and completely unfounded," she said.

"Spouting conspiratorial beliefs on the floor of the Dáil on such a sensitive topic is unacceptable."

Several TDs have also written to the Ceann Comhairle to ask Danny Healy-Rae to withdraw his remarks about autism.

Adam Harris, chief executive of autism charity AsIAm, told Newstalk: "“They’re obviously deeply unhelpful and, frankly, deeply harmful remarks by Deputy Healy-Rae.

"I think the remarks come from a place of privilege but speaking from a position of great ignorance of the experiences of autistic people across the country."

Mr Harris added: "When we frame the discussion around the cause and issue of autism, we seem to imply that it’s autistic people that are the problem."