Allegedly people with disabilities are right to kill bill

ONE wonders if it would be possible for the Government to deploy the same energy and enthusiasm in introducing the long-awaited Disability Bill as they have invested in their zealous campaign for a yes vote in the referendum on citizenship.

The Government has consistently expressed the urgent need for a regulated approach in Irish citizenship legislation. Yet there is clear evidence of a distinct lack of urgency, or indeed willingness, in providing rights-based legislation for people with disabilities in Ireland. The programme for government contains a commitment to publishing a disability bill that would include provision for right of assessment, a proper appeals process and methods of enforcement.

A half-baked Disability Bill was introduced in December 2001 which caused outrage given the absence of the most fundamental requirement that of a rights-based approach which should have underpinned and safeguarded the rights of people with disabilities within that legislation.

Understandably, a disgruntled and disillusioned disability sector shot a lame duck of a Disability Bill out of the water. It could be said that people with disabilities in Ireland response to the Disability Bill was "Kill Bill".

Last month the representative body the Disability Legislation Consultation Group (DLCG) who shadow developments and monitor the proposed amendments to the Disability Bill on behalf of people with disabilities met again with Government officials.

The proposed changes and new amendments to the Disability Bill amounted to a cosmetic exercise.

The notion of giving people with disabilities their rights "subject to resources" is tantamount to saying every citizen of the state can have a gleaming new Mercedes Benz but only if they win the Lotto.

The revised bill is a classic case of the same old wine served up in a different bottle. No amount of repackaging of the bill will be accepted if the most basic and fundamental ingredient a rights-based approach is omitted.

We have waited nearly three years for the new release. To the Government we say that while we have now seen snippets of the sequel, we still hold the view that the impending Disability Bill deserves to be again shot out of the water. So let's just Kill Bill Vol 2.

To this reviewer it amounts to unadulterated piffle. The Government should now go back to the cutting room and give us the real uncut version of the bill as recommended by the commission.

Until then... Well, they can forget the Oscars.

Donie O'Leary,

Cork Network,

People with Disabilities in Ireland,

41, Penrose Wharf,

Penrose Quay,

Cork.