OPPOSITION deputies accused the Government of complacency, self satisfaction and a piecemeal, rhetorical approach to dealing with disability. Ms Mary Wallace (FF, Meath) said a fundamental change was needed in public policy and "the reality of change must match the rhetoric of change".

She was speaking in a debate on the report by the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities which made 402 recommendations for fundamental and radical change in the approach to disability.

Members of the commission and a number of other disabled people and their families observed the debate from the public gallery with the assistance of a sign language interpreter. During the debate, Ms Cecilia Keaveney, (FF, Donegal North East) called for a quorum in the House and expressed disappointment there were so few deputies in the chamber when there were so many interested people in the public gallery.

Ms Wallace commended the Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Mr Taylor, for his commitment to promoting the interests of people with disability. "However, it is now clear that his Department - is effectively sidelined and powerless when many of the most important decisions concerning disability are being taken."

Mr Taylor said the report would be "the cornerstone of future Government policy" on disability. "Never again will any policy maker believe that it is possible to see disability as a problem that can be dealt with kindness or charity. Never again will any policy maker be able to see disability as a medical problem, to be dealt with in hospitals and institutions. Never again will any policy maker be able to see disability as a minority issue, or as a nuisance."

Mr Taylor said the report brought into focus the view of people with disabilities. A majority of people on the commission had disabilities. He agreed it was time "to move to a view of disability that is based on rights, not charity". He said there was a real need for a permanent independent voice "constantly highlighting issues of concern and making sure the rights of people with disabilities are never off the agenda".

Ms Wallace criticised the Department of Education for spending £250,000 to defend a High Court action by the family of Paul O'Donoghue, a Cork schoolboy, who sued the State for his right to appropriate primary schooling. The court backed the family but the department appealed to the Supreme Court. She said the money could have been used to implement the commission's recommendations.