FG, Labour to pledge Disability Bill changes
In doing so, they could secure a sizeable vote from the disability lobby, which would boost their chances of forming an alternative government.
The bill was passed in the Dáil last month to the frustration of campaign groups, who argued it was a badly flawed piece of legislation.
More than 500,000 people expressed concern about the bill, the Dáil was told.
It is going through the Seanad and is expected to be signed into law by President Mary McAleese in the coming weeks.
Some campaigners, aware that they cannot halt the bill's progress, are instead looking to the possibility of it being amended by an alternative government.
Tonight, representatives of all the opposition parties, along with Mr Justice Fergus Flood, chairman of the Commission on the Status of People with Disability, will attend a meeting organised by the Limerick Parents and Friends of the Mentally Handicapped.
Ger South, chairman of the organising group, said the bill had to be replaced with a rights-based one. He conceded the battle with the Government on the issue was most likely lost. "But tonight we plan to regroup to carry the fight into the next election with pledges from parties which may form the next government," said Mr South.
Among the TDs who will attend tonight's meeting in Limerick's Pery's Hotel are David Stanton of Fine Gael, Kathleen Lynch of Labour, Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party, Dan Boyle of the Green Party, Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and independents Finian McGrath and James Breen.
Ms Lynch, who is Labour spokeswoman on disabilities, and who fought to amend the bill before the Dáil, said major changes to it were necessary.
