Empty promises not good enough

When he launched the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said it provided an important opportunity for Ireland to unite with other European countries in creating a greater awareness of disability issues.

He said there was a need to become more conscious of the rich and often underused talents that people with disabilities possess.

Mr Ahern said he would make a major contribution to promoting this awareness by delivering a promise he has reneged on the introduction of effective rights-based legislation.