Michael Smith (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

Much of the discussion about the Bill has centred on a demand for rights-based legislation. Some argue that the legislation must provide access to the courts for the adjudication of individual cases. It has also been forcefully presented that both the needs assessment process and service provision should be free of resource constraints.

At one of the meetings with the DLCG last year, the Taoiseach commented that a more productive dialogue on rights is possible if there is recognition of the complexity of the issues and the relationship between rights and standards. A right of redress in the event of discrimination and well established promotional and redress structures are available in Ireland.

See this speech in context