FG TD urges Govt to clarify position on Disability Bill
Fine Gael TD David Stanton has called on the Government to clarify whether it plans to proceed with the Disability Bill.
Mr Stanton said local Fianna Fáil councillor Nick Killian told a meeting in Co Meath last night that one-third of the legislation should be rewritten.
Groups working with the disabled have already expressed dissatisfaction with the Bill and its failure to take a rights-based approach to disabilities issues.
Mr Stanton said today that the Government should clarify if Mr Killian was speaking officially or on his own behalf.
The Fine Gael TD also said he would support a rewrite of the legislation.
“There has to be a clear right, first of all, to an assessment – that’s not in the Bill,” he said.
“The definition of disability needs to be changed – it’s far, far too narrow. The complaints system is extremely complicated and needs to be simplified. Resources have to be ring-fenced and made clearly available.”
