Bill defence adds insult to injury

IN seeking to justify the financial thrust of the Government’s Disability Bill, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is defending the indefensible.

Despite the heartfelt pleas of those affected by this flawed legislation, Mr Ahern has set his face against altering the terms of the Bill.

They will be dismayed that he has held the line adopted by Justice Minister Michael McDowell, dashing hopes of securing disability laws based on their rights as citizens rather than on the availability of financial resources.