Disabilities Bill Guarantees Protection of Persons Living With Disabilities

The Disabilities Bill is being celebrated as novel and forward-thinking. The bill seeks to end discrimination against persons with diverse abilities. The bill provides for the establishment of a Disabilities and Equal Rights Tribunal. Lead Government Senator, Eamon Courtenay explained that the legislation guarantees the protection of the differently abled. He went on to clarify that there is no hidden agenda to include the equal opportunities bill through this legislation.

 

Eamon Courtenay, Lead Government Senator

“This bill represents a recognition by our society that over time and as we mature as a democracy and nation that we are called upon as a collective, community, people, to be more tolerant, to be more inclusive to be more respectful to the differences and diversities within our society and to provide a legal framework which guarantees the protection needed and to ensure there is no discrimination or at least we try to reduce the chances for discrimination and where there is discrimination to provide a legal framework that is clear for redress. I know that there is concern about the name of the tribunal and the disabilities and equal rights tribunal. We say with absolute certainty there is no intention, express or implied, to bring the Equal Opportunities Act into this legislation. Any member of society who believes there is some hidden agenda in bringing the equal opportunities bill into force through this legislation is mistaken. I hope that the day will come soon when we bring the Equal Opportunities Bill for debate.”