Disability groups censure Tánaiste

DISABILITY groups yesterday accused Tánaiste Mary Harney of being disingenuous after she called on business leaders to employ people with disabilities.

Amnesty International, which is due to raise its concerns on mental disability with Health Minister Micheál Martin next week, said the Tánaiste's comments came at a time when Ireland was being criticised internationally for its treatment people with disabilities.

"It does seem disingenuous to me," said Amnesty's Fiona Crowley. "We have seen legislation which discriminates against disabled people criticised by the UN Committee on Economic and Social Rights last year and we have in force here legislation which limits the obligations of employers to be open and flexible towards employing disabled staff."