Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Government continues to work long and hard with the disability groups. As I said several times previously, no other Bill with which I have been involved over 20 years has taken so much time, effort and consultation. Deputy Ó Caoláin is wrong to say the Government set up the consultation group. The consultation group was involved when the Bill was being prepared over the past three or four years. I met the group many times and the Bill has now been published.

The group met the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, myself and other Ministers many times and has asked for a whole host of amendments. A large number of amendments have been conceded, if not the five minimum points. There were 40 or 50 points. We have committed to review the legislation after five years, the definition of "substantial restriction" is to be amended to include disordered thought process, there is to be provision for intervention early in life to ameliorate a disability, the option of chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive is to be removed from the Bill and so on. The group requested a large number of amendments, which it has received.

Last Friday the DLCG asked the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, to look at five further areas. I can go through them if required but I would not have time now. The Government discussed them again yesterday and will respond to the group. The Minister of State will also do so. I will write to the group giving our position on them.

This is the last Bill in a range of legislation which this Government has brought in, including the Employment Equality Act, the Equal Status Act, the Equality Act, the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill and the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill.

We have also put in place the additional resources which we were asked to do last year. The Minister for Finance announced the provision of a special disability multi-annual funding package of €900 million covering the years ahead. We have brought in a range of legislation, including this Bill. We are trying, in every way we can, to accommodate the Bill.

There is one amendment which is not possible, that is, to state in legislation a position on resources. That has never been done in Irish legislation.

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