The Government is not contemplating any change to the Constitution in the wake of the Supreme Court judgement in the Sinnott case, it has been confirmed. At its meeting today, the Cabinet also rejected Opposition demands for the recall of the Dáil to debate the case. A Government spokesman said that the recall of the Dáil would not provide any extra resources for the disabled. He added that resources and personnel are already being provided. Meanwhile, the Chief State Solicitor's Office has written to Mrs Sinnott's solicitor confirming that all costs in the High Court and Supreme Court cases will be met by the State.
Fine Gael said that it wants the Dáil to consider new legislation giving specific rights to the disabled. Labour is urging a constitutional amendment to uphold the rights of those with disabilities to full equal treatment, especially to the fullest possible level of education. Labour's Jan O'Sullivan said that the Supreme Court rulings would have to be studied in close detail and there would have to be full consultation with interest groups before a wording for such an amendment could be finalised. The new Dáil session is due to begin on 2 October.
