Govt urged to announce rights-based Disabilities Bill

The Forum for People With Disabilities has called on the Government to publicly commit itself to rights-based disabilities legislation in advance of the Special Olympics.

The Government is resisting calls for legislation giving disabled people a right to support services as this could lead to legal action from people who cannot avail of such services.

Campaigners have expressed their anger at this and have accused ministers of hypocrisy by associating themselves with the Special Olympics while treating the disabled in Ireland with contempt.

Michael Ringrose, spokesman for People with Disabilities in Ireland, said the Special Olympics provide an opportunity for the Government to commit itself to a rights-based Disabilities Bill.

"The Taoiseach and other ministers will have the opportunity of virtually a world audience and it would be a pity if they missed the opportunity to indicate that Ireland can be a model of best practice in this whole area," he said.