Irish Special Olympics successPáirtí an Lucht Oibre

(Statement by Pádraig de Burca, Labour Party) 01/04/99

 

Labour's local election candidate Pádraig de Burca, today said that he was delighted that Ireland has secured the Special Olympics in 2002. According to Mr. de Burca, "the Special Olympics is a prestigious international event and it's wonderful news that Ireland has beaten the other international competitors, including Argentina, to secure this event."

"There was a huge voluntary effort put in by numerous organisations and individuals over the past three years in our bid for the Special Olympics. Today's news is a testament to the dedication of these people and I extend the wholehearted thanks of the Dublin North Central Labour Party to them for their efforts," continued Mr. de Burca. "The event will have a special resonance for all attending the Central Remedial Clinic in Clontarf."

"The holding of the Special Olympics is an issue which the Labour Party has pursued vigorously over recent years. Our former Party Leader, Dick Spring, TD, was a prime mover behind Ireland's bid for the
Games. As Tánaiste he commissioned the feasibility study which laid the groundwork for our bid and was centrally involved in this campaign from the outset," continued Mr. de Burca.

"Now that Ireland has secured the Special Olympics the Government must implement legislation and provide resources that will vindicate the civil rights of people with a disability. To date the rights of people with a disability have received scant attention from this Government. It has still not published the long awaited Equal Status Bill nor the Disability Bill. Public transport is still virtually inaccessible to people with a physical disability and thousands of people across the country are still without the services they require as citizens of this State. It would be appalling if this situation were still to pertain in three years time when
we host the Special Olympics. The Government must act now and use the momentum of the Special Olympics to radically change Irish society for citizens with a disability," concluded Mr. de Burca.