Disability groups protest over Bill

Disability groups today vowed to continue their fight against the new Disability Bill as it entered the Seanad.

A noisy protest was held outside Leinster House as the legislation finally passed through all stages in the Dáil after eight months of debate.

The Bill, which will now be considered by the Seanad on Tuesday, is expected to be made law before the summer recess on July 1.

Disability Federation of Ireland chief executive John Dolan said people with disabilities remained “extremely unhappy” with the legislation.

He told several hundred protestors: “Society must change to suit us, not us change to suit society. We need basic rights and services to take our place in mainstream society.”

Wheelchair-user Tom Chambers from Co Mayo said the legislation will mean that he will need to go through three separate government departments to be assessed for a new wheelchair.

Mr Chambers, 59, paralysed from the chest down since a car accident in 1989, said: “The Bill was supposed to improve things but it’s made them worse.”

The Bill, which promises to deliver high-quality support services for people with disabilities, has been slammed over its failure to include rights-based access to services.

The last Disability Bill was withdrawn before the 2002 general election following a similar outcry.

Groups represented in today’s protest included the National Association for Mentally Handicapped of Ireland (Namhi), which represents up to 28,000 people with disabilities, the Forum on People with Disabilities, and the National Parents and Siblings Alliance (NPSA).

All three groups have pulled out of the Government’s Disability Legislation Consultation Group (DLCG) because Minister of State Frank Fahey refused to allow amendments they believed were necessary.

Several TDs and senators supported today’s demo.

Independent TD Finian McGrath, who made over 70 amendments to the legislation since it was first presented to the Dail in mid-September, called it a missed opportunity by the Government to transform services for all people with disabilities.

“They are creating a cold house for our citizens and showing a complete lack of respect for their human rights.

“We have had enough talk now. Our people are demanding justice equality and adequate services,” he said.

Sinn Féin said the Government had reneged on its promise to enshrine true equality into our society.

Equality spokesman, Aengus O Snodaigh said: “It represents a slap in the face to all people with disabilities and their families who were led on a two year merry-go-round of repeated consultations in the hope that this Government would finally live up to its responsibilities to acknowledge and deliver their rights.”

“This Bill is not rights-based. It is resource-based. It thereby negates any hope that people with disabilities and their families can secure the services that should be theirs as of right.”

Earlier today, Opposition parties called on the Government to delay the introduction of the legislation to allow for additional consultation.

However Finance Minister Brian Cowen told the Dáil he believed the debate so far had been adequate.

“It’s very important, as far as the Government is concerned, that we now enact the legislation and get on with the work,” he said.