Disability groups want rights’ bill enacted

DISABILITY groups are stepping up pressure on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to enact the long drawn-out rights’ bill.

The Forum of People with Disabilities is to meet Mr Ahern tomorrow to demand an enactment of the proposed new legislation.

The disability forum insists there is no impediment to government fulfilling its promise to provide legislation that would provide access to the courts for disabled people when their rights are flouted.

The group will call on Mr Ahern to clarify the Government’s position on a rights-based bill.

Forum director Mary Keogh said: “we want our rights and enforcement mechanism to ensure that they are achievable.”

The Forum of People with Disabilities is one of the eight major disability support bodies which comprise the Disability Legislative Consultative Group.

The forum said it is seeking assurances that the legislation will be rights-based in its approach and be enforceable through access to the courts where provisions within the legislation are been ignored.

Ms Keogh said: “we are looking forward to hearing the Taoiseach’s input into the current debate about rights based legislation.

"The DLCG last February submitted to government very specific proposals in relation to the implementation, monitoring, review and enforcement of new disability legislation and we are now looking for the Taoiseach to provide a detailed response to the proposals.”

Ms Keogh said: “the forum welcomes the recent Human Rights Commission observation document on the proposals by the DLCG which clearly establish there is no impediment to government enacting legislation that would provide some access to the courts where its provisions are not been met.”

She said the Government has to start recognising disability within the wider human rights framework ensuring people should not have to settle for second-class citizenship.