Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

The Bill is a positive action measure geared to support participation by people with disabilities in society. It places a significant positive obligation on public service providers in this respect. The extension of such obligations to voluntary and private bodies could be viewed as an unreasonable encroachment into service organisations, particularly those run on a commercial basis. These organisations are already obliged to comply with employment equality and equal status legislation which is of relatively recent origin.

These amendments would place certain obligations on voluntary and private bodies. Part 3 requires that services provided by public bodies are made accessible and would be subject to complaint ultimately to the Ombudsman. These amendments, if accepted, would, for example, require cinemas and shops to retrofit their premises over the next ten years. Sports centres would have to present all literature in accessible forms, irrespective of cost. Organisations, such as the National Women's Council, in receipt of State support would have to ensure any service they purchased is disability accessible.

Part 5 established a statutory basis for the 3% employment target. This would be broadened to include the whole economy. If these amendments were accepted, those carrying out car tests for the national car test would be obliged to observe an employment target for people with disabilities. Similar provisions would extend to contractors in publicly funded road and building projects. I am not convinced that the proposed amendments would help in practical terms in attaining the goals of the Bill. It is better to maintain an approach based on the mainstream public bodies which we all use and which have a public duty to accommodate all citizens.

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