The Disability Bill, 2001, was published on 21 December 2001. Following concerns expressed by interest groups, the Government agreed to further consultations on future proposals for disability legislation, in particular the Disability Bill. An expert consultation team was appointed in April 2002 comprising Ms Sylda Langford, Assistant Secretary in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. John O'Donnell, Senior Counsel, Professor Brian Nolan, Economic and Social Institute, Mr. Bernard Feeney, senior consultant, Goodbody's Economic Consultants, and Mr. Brian Crowley, Member of the European Parliament.
The consultation team is examining proposals from disability groups and is meeting with other relevant stakeholders, including the disability legislation consultation group, ICTU, IBEC, the community and voluntary sector and relevant Departments. The disability legislation consultation group is a representative group of disability organisations brought together by the National Disability Authority, NDA, earlier this year to facilitate dialogue within the sector and with the consultation team.