Concern grows over delays to Disability Bill

THE Government can still not say if the Disability Bill will be seen before the forthcoming elections, despite the Tánaiste saying it will be published as soon as possible.

Responding to questions in the Dáil, Ms Harney said the long-awaited bill was on the agenda of the Cabinet at the moment and was almost finalised. Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked Ms Harney if the bill was being deliberately not published until after the elections, while Fine Gael disability spokesman David Stanton told the Tánaiste there was huge concern about delays.

While the bill did come up at the Cabinet’s meeting yesterday, a Government spokesperson said it was not discussed in any substantial manner and further discussions have to take place before its publication. The bill has been at Cabinet a few times already, the spokesperson said, but the Government has not signed off on it and cannot say if it will be published before June 11.