Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

Late in the previous Dáil the original Disability Bill was withdrawn by the Government on the basis that substantive negotiations would take place between those who were campaigning for legislation with teeth and a rights-based approach and that the Government would deal one to one with these people to produce a Bill that would be satisfactory to all concerned. However, it has emerged following last night's meeting and the significant campaign that has been mounted against the current Bill that there are problems. Will the Government genuinely sit down one to one with the campaigners on this important Bill to work out a solution with which everyone will be satisfied? The Bill is on Second Stage in the other House and will shortly be sent to committee. The Government said it will consider amendments on Committee Stage but the Bill is important. It has been promised for seven years and I do not want it to become a party political football. It is important that the Government should sit down with the campaigners to work out a solution that has all our support. I ask the Government to consider that in advance of Committee Stage in the other House.

It is reported that Prime Minister Blair will formally apologise to the Conlon family in the House of Commons today for the appalling miscarriage of justice involving those known as the Guildford Four. We all welcome that and the campaign that has been run in Britain and Ireland in recent months by the Conlon family, supported by the SDLP and its leader, Mr. Mark Durkan. The apology is long overdue. Not only should it be given to those directly involved in Guildford, but it should also be given to those involved in all the miscarriages of justice on both islands over the past 20 years given the circumstances that we faced. It is a welcome development and I particularly congratulate the SDLP on its role in ensuring this public apology is made today.