Vol. 513 No. 4
107 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his response to the recommendations of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities that the Constitution should be amended to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2529/00]
The report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities endorsed the recommendations of the constitutional review group which recommended amending Article 40.1 of the Constitution to prohibit discrimination against persons on the grounds of status including that of disability. I understand that the constitutional review group expects to begin the process of dealing with the recommendations relating to the area of fundamental rights, in the near future and that the relevant amendment to Article 40.1 will be considered at that time.
The constitutional review group also considered whether the proposed amendment to the article should also include a specific provision for affirmative action. It concluded that the objective of rectifying unfair disadvantage should continue to be legislatively authorised and pursued through Government policy. This approach is being pursued in relation to disability policy through the enactment by my colleague the Minister for Education and Science of the Education Act, 1998 in so far as it deals with the education of people with disabilities; the National Disability Act, 1999 which I will bring into operation in the coming months; and through the commitment to prepare a disabilities Bill, which is under consideration in my Department.
