Calls have been made to recall the Dáil from its summer recess to debate issues surrounding the Supreme Court ruling against an autistic man, Mr Jamie Sinnott.
At the first public meeting of the Irish Autism Alliance at HQ, Middle Abbey St, Dublin, demands were made to recall of the Dáil to initiate a referendum on disability rights and an action plan on education for people with autism.
The calls led by Mr Sinnott's mother, Ms Kathryn Sinnott and Irish Timescolumnist, Mr Fintan O'Toole, along with others including the independent Senator, Mr Joe O'Toole.
Ms Sinnott told a crowd of 750 people that last week’s ruling had "left Jamie and other adult children constitutionless [sic]". She said that she could not accept a ruling that did not make everyone equal.
Mr Fintan O’Toole said it was the 10th anniversary of a recalling of the Dáil. In August 1991 it was recalled to pass legislation to allow companies in trouble to go into examinership rather than liquidation.
He said that the state had three arms. The first, the executive, had failed people with autism. The second, the courts, had failed to fill the vacuum.He hoped that the third, the parliament, would act and added: "We demand you address this issue".
Senator Joe O’Toole said a short, brief, but clear piece of legislation needed to be drawn up so that there could be a bill of rights for people with disabilities. He called on those at the meeting - many of whom are parents of children with disabilities - to compel their local TDs to act on behalf of people with disabilities.
Broadcaster Mr Eamon Dunphy, said he believed Irish people to be decent people but the Supreme Court Judgment was "indecent".