Latest News
Disability Activists at European Parliament Meeting
Date: September 27, 2017
Disability activists attended the Biannual Freedom Drive (BFD) in the European Parliament on a visit sponsored by Marian Harkin MEP The BFD was initiated by the late Martin Naughton, a fearless Irish advocate for people with...[more]
Varadkar Divide & Conquer Strategy Unfair to Carers
Date: October 5, 2016
The divide and conquer strategy of Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar which aims to create tension between state pension receivers and carers in the upcoming budget emphasised the valuable role of the independent...[more]
Discrimination Against Young People with Disabilities in EU Scheme
Date: July 5, 2016
Ireland should not be permitted to slip slide out of its responsibility to ensure access to the EU Youth Guarantee Programme for young people with disabilities.[more]
International Disability Law Summer Shool in NUIG
Date: June 20, 2016
Senator Tom Harkin who served 30 years in the US Senate, and 10 years before that in the House of Representatives, is a long term friend of Marian’s. [more]
Irish Carers Participate in European Parliament Conference
Date: June 15, 2016
Representatives of a number of family carer groups from counties Cavan, Kildare, Laois, Louth, Longford, Meath, Monaghan and Westmeath participated in a conference in the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday June 15th,...[more]
Celebrating 10 Years of EU Airport Rights Legislation for People with Disabilities
Date: May 21, 2016
“At Dublin Airport on May 19th, I was really touched to hear the words of appreciation by the President of the European Disability Forum (EDF) and Pat Clarke, Chairman of the Disability Federation of Ireland for my work in the...[more]
EC Report on Irish Economy a Mixed Bag
Date: May 18, 2016
Today the EU Commission report card on Ireland's economic and social progress is a mixed bag with some improvements in the areas of Government deficit spending and a drop in unemployment levels but significant challenges in areas...[more]
Harkin Welcomes new EU Disability Directive
Date: May 4, 2016
The fact that the average unemployment rate of working age persons with disabilities in Europe is over 75% emphasises the value of the deal made this week between the Dutch EU presidency and the European Parliament to make public...[more]
Full Accessibility for People with Disabilities Inches Closer
Date: December 2, 2015
Independent MEP Marian Harkin who is Vice President of the European Parliament Disability Rights Intergroup, has welcomed today’s proposals from the European Commission on binding EU legislation to ensure accessibility for...[more]
No Medals for Irish Government on Discriminatory Treatment of Young People with Disabilities
Date: July 30, 2015
“In the same week as we are celebrating the achievements of the Special Olympians in Los Angeles and Team Ireland´s outstanding medal wins, it is incredible to think that at the same time the Irish Government is excluding young...[more]
