Liz calls for action from Irish Prime Minister on disabled people's rights

3.56.45pm GMT Fri 7th Nov 2003

Ireland will hold the EU Presidency from 1 January 2004

Ireland will take over the EU Presidency at the beginning of 2004. West Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne has written to the Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern to ask what his government will be doing during its Presidency to advance the cause of disabled people's rights at a European Level.

Liz, who is the Rapporteur for the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003, commented:

"Despite some progress, the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 has been a disappointment in terms of achieving definite outcomes in the cause of disabled people's rights. The European Parliament voted earlier this year for an EU-wide Disability Directive to secure equal access and civil rights of disabled people across Europe, yet the European Commission has refused to bring it forward at this present time.

"If we are to make any progress, it will need the active support of the governments of Member States and in particular the Presidency. Silvio Berlusconi's Italian Presidency has been disappointing in this respect, but I am hopeful we will receive a more sympathetic ear from Ireland's Taoiseach."

• Text of letter:

Bertie Ahern

Taoiseach

Department of the Taoiseach

Government Buildings

Upper Merrion Street

Dublin 2

Ireland

6th November, 2003

Dear Taoiseach,

I am writing to you ahead of the Irish Presidency to ask what initiatives you are thinking of bringing forward in relation to disabled people's rights during your term of office.

As you may know, I was rapporteur both for the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 and for the European Parliament's contribution to the UN on a legally binding convention. We also have the European Parliament of Disabled People next week.

The reason for writing is that I hope that, when the European Year is over, we do not ignore the needs of disabled people.

I await your reply.

Yours sincerely,

Liz Lynne MEP

CC: Mary Coughlan, TD, Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, Store Street, Dublin 1.