Michael Ring
Question:345 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will introduce a constitutional amendment making it an offence to discriminate against a person on the grounds of a disability. [4587/01]
Written Answers. - People with Disabilities.
John V. Farrelly
Question:358 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received representations from a group (details supplied) in Dublin 4 regarding a proposal for a constitutional amendment making it an offence to discriminate against a person on the grounds of disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4550/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 358 together.
The Constitutional Review Group identified for inclusion in amendments to the Constitution, a provision relating to equality which specifies disability equality in Article 40.1 as follows:
"all persons shall be held equal before the law and that no person shall be unfairly discriminated against, directly or indirectly, on any ground such as sex, race, age, disability, sexual orientation, colour, language, culture, religion, political or other opinion, national, social or ethnic origin, membership of the travelling community, property, birth or other status."
An amendment on this basis will be included in the next tranche of constitutional amendments to be put to the electorate. The amendment proposed is in line with a proposal in this area put forward by the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities. Representations from the group referred to by Deputy Farrelly were made both to myself and the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Wallace. A number of issues were raised in the representations, one of which concerned the issue of a constitutional amendment. Replies to the representations have issued explaining the position as set out above.