21rd September  2004

PRESS RELEASE

Disability Bill weak on rights and unclear on finances – Green Party

The Green Party has heavily criticised the Disability Bill, stating that it is strong on rhetoric but weak on commitments. It stated that the Americans with Disabilities Act passed in the United States 14 years ago contained greater commitments to people with disabilities. 

Ciarán Cuffe TD, the Green Party’ Equality Spokesperson stated:  “The employment targets are unimpressive; the budgets don’t exist yet, and the much heralded ‘rights’ are minimalist. It all appears to be one large fudge”

There appear to be no obligations on the private sector to make buildings accessible to persons with disabilities, and public sector bodies are given ten years to get their house in order. Clearly the Government wishes to put matters on the long finger. There is no commitment to budgets in today’s announcement.

“The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed by President George Bush Senior in 1990. That law mandated that local, state, and federal governments and programs be accessible, that businesses with more than 15 employees make ‘reasonable accommodations’ for disabled workers, and that public accommodations such as restaurants and stores make ‘reasonable modifications’ to ensure access for disabled members of the public. It seems curious that the US provided more rights 14 years ago than the Irish Government is today

“The rights that Disability Groups sought should not be watered down to simply the ‘right to an independent assessment’.  People with disabilities must be entitled to the same civil and human rights as others.

ENDS