Group seeks clarification from Ahern on new Disability Bill

A consultative group that advised the Government on the new Disability Bill wrote to the Taoiseach this week restating its understanding of what had been proposed and asking for clarification of this.

This follows suggestions of what disability campaigners call "a sea-change" in certain elements of the proposed Bill.

The proposed Bill provides for people with disabilities to take legal action where disability services are not provided as agreed. However, it also states that available resources and staff must be taken into account when decisions are made on the provision of services.

In its letter to the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, the Disability Legislation Consultation Group (DLCG)stresses that access to the courts must be provided if provisions within the legislation are not met.

It points out that this was expressly agreed by the Taoiseach when he met the group on July 15th, but it fears that this provision may be restricted by the agencies charged with providing disability services.

Mr Donal Toolan, of the Forum for People with Disabilities, and member of the DLCG, will raise concerns over the new Bill at a conference on global trends in disability law, at the Law Society headquarters in Blackhall Place, Dublin, today.

Yesterday he said there were fears of an attempted "sea-change" in what was originally agreed for the new Bill. He will tell the conference that any suggestion that access to the courts would be decided by a body charged with overseeing delivery of the service would be "ludicrous". People with disabilities have reason to remain concerned and cautious until the Disability Bill is published, he said.

The conference will also hear concerns from the European Commission over the delay among member-states, including Ireland, to transpose EU equality legislation into law.

Ms Barbara Nolan of the Commission will outline what she describes as "ground-breaking" legislation that will ensure that the rights of people with disabilities are enshrined in EU and national law.

The Employment Equality Directive, which must be transposed into Irish law by December 2nd, prohibits discrimination in employment and training on grounds of disability, religion or belief, age and sexual orientation.

However, Ms Nolan will point out that the majority of members, including Ireland, missed the July deadline for introducing the Racial Equality Directive.