Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 1997

Vol. 480 No. 6

Written Answers - Equality Legislation.

Theresa Ahearn

Question:

522 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the legislation, if any, he proposes to introduce to promote equality for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14865/97]

Theresa Ahearn

Question:

526 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposed legislation, if any, there is for people with disabilities; the proposals, if any, there are for additional legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14881/97]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 522 and 526 together.

Proposals for a disabilities Bill, which will set out the rights of persons with a disability, together with means of redress for those whose rights are denied, are included in the list of promised legislation contained in the Government press release of 25 September 1997. These proposals will be considered by Government in the context of the plan of action on the rights of people with disabilities which will be submitted to it by an inter-departmental task force chaired by my Department on foot of the recommendations of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities. In the course of their deliberations, the Government will have regard to legal advice in relation to the matter of reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation was one of the provisions of the Employment Equality Bill, 1996 found to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Also, the Government is committed to the introduction of an Employment Equality Bill as soon as possible and a revised Equal Status Bill is also being prepared. The former Bill will prohibit discrimination in employment on nine distinct grounds, including the ground of disability. The latter Bill will prohibit discrimination on a wide range of grounds including disability and will apply to non-workplace issues such as the provision of goods, services and accommodation.

These Bills, while drafted along similar lines to their predecessors, will require to be modified having regard to the Supreme Court's findings.

The question of whether further legislation will be required to improve the situation of people with disabilities will be considered in the light of the plan of action on the rights of people with disabilities which is being prepared by the inter-departmental task force.