A group lobbying for legally enforceable rights for disabled people to be included in forthcoming legislation is seeking an urgent meeting with the Taoiseach.
The Disability Legislation Consultation Group, which was established at the request of the Government, wants a commitment from Mr Ahern that its recommendations for the proposed Disabilities Bill will be met.
The call follows a meeting yesterday between ten members of the group and the Minister of State with Responsibility for Disability, Mr Willie O'Dea. The group sought the meeting to discuss progress on the legislation, following its submission of proposals on it last February.
One of the group's members, Mr Donal Toolan, said they did not receive from Mr O'Dea the clarity they sought on the issue of legally-enforceable rights during the 45 minute meeting. "It is apparent to us that we need to obtain clarification on the government's position on where this legislation is going and that needs obviously to come from the Taoiseach," he added.
The Bill, which had been due to be published in this Dáil session, replaces an earlier bill which was withdrawn at the end of the last Dáil following opposition from disability rights campaigners.
The Government was forced to shelve the Bill before the general election over a clause which would have prevented disabled people suing the State for inadequate services. The clause was eventually dropped following months of strenuous opposition from disability groups.
Mr O'Dea has said that the new Bill will not be published before the summer recess as the Government will first publish the Education Disadvantage Bill, which includes disability issues in education.
Mr Toolan said the timeframe of the legislation was also of concern, as it did not appear that it would be enacted by the end of the year. Mr O'Dea could not be contacted for comment last night.
A specially designed European Year of People with Disabilities Bus will visit Ireland from July 2nd to July 8th as part of its tour of the 15 EU Member States. The focus of the campaign is to promote disability issues and awareness amongst local communities. The bus will visit nine locations, arriving in Dublin City on Thursday, July 3rd.