Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)

The proposed amendment does nothing to address serious concerns regarding the need for a rights-based Bill. There was an emotive response to the Minister of State's approach at a meeting last night in Limerick. Families of those with disabilities expressed their extreme concern and near anger at the failure of the Government to respond to the advice which was given by those put in place to do so. Mr. Justice Flood was very clear in that the only approach was on the basis of introducing a rights-based Bill. Others who contributed were singular in the view that nothing less than a rights-based Bill was acceptable and that it is needed to ensure that people with disabilities get their rights under various international conventions, including the Convention on Human Rights. Section 5 and the amendments before us do nothing to allow for this discussion and we are concerned in that regard. Politicians from many parties gave a commitment to ensure that, should the opportunity arise, a rights-based Bill would be introduced to the House.

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