Vol. 536 No. 6
98 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he expects to publish the promised disabilities Bill; if he will consider publishing the proposed heads of the Bill to allow discussion on its final content; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15021/01]
A commitment has been given in the Government's legislative programme to publish the disabilities Bill in 2001. It is my intention that the disabilities Bill will be a positive action measure to advance and underpin the participation of people with disabilities in society. A broad-ranging consultation process on the Bill involving organisations and agencies associated with the disability sector took place in the latter part of last year. With this process completed, work on the development of proposals for the legislation is ongoing. I continue to welcome views concerning the possible content of the Bill from all quarters.
The measure I propose will be broad in scope and ground-breaking in nature and clearly requires a considered approach, given the cross-sectoral impact of the measure proposed. The Deputy will appreciate that the qualitative approach I have adopted will require the input of time and effort and that any lesser commitment on my part would be to short-sell people with disabilities. I have not made any secret of the broad thrust of the Bill and the areas of activity which are under consideration, including access to public bodies, use of telecommunications services, use of transport and participation in the administration of justice.
In view of the comprehensive consultation process that has already taken place and the fact that I have outlined the broad thrust of the measures which are under consideration, I would not intend to engage in a further consultation process at the heads of Bill stage. Ample opportunity will be available to consider the detailed provisions of the Bill when it is published and in the course of its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The disabilities Bill will be the fourth legislative measure in the area of disability equality sponsored by this Government and has been progressed in the context of the legislative and infrastructural framework for equality which the Government has put in place. The Employment Equality Act, 1998 and the Equal Status Act, 2000 prohibit discrimination on nine specified grounds, including the ground of disability, in the workplace and in the provision of goods and services. The Equality Authority and director of equality investigations, established to implement this legislation, are now fully operational. The National Disability Authority Act, 1999 provides for the establishment of the National Disability Authority as a statutory agency dedicated to disability policy and practice and is also fully operational. The disabilities Bill will build on and complete this framework for equality.
99. Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when it is expected that the promised immigration and residence Bill will be published; if he will consider discussing the heads of the Bill with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights in view of the importance of the matters likely to be dealt with in this Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15011/01]
I refer the Deputy to my reply on 1 March 2001 to similar Questions Nos. 39 and 99, column 1345, and to my further reply of 12 April 2001 to Questions Nos. 53 and 68, column 1259. As the situation has not changed since, I have nothing further to add to those replies.
