Three groups representing thousands of people with disabilities have pulled out of a Government-established consultation group in protest over the contents of the Disability Bill.
The National Association of the Mentally Handicapped of Ireland (Namhi), the Forum on People with Disabilities and the National Parents and Siblings Alliance (NPSA) say the Bill is "fatally flawed" and needs to be radically changed.
The move follows a meeting on Wednesday night in which the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern signalled there would not be any fundamental change to the key principles of the legislation.
While their decision represents a blow for the Government, six groups remain in the Disability Legislation Consultation Group (DLCG) which is due to meet the Taoiseach shortly.
The chairwoman of the group, Angela Kerins, said she respected the decision of the three organisations to withdraw from the DLCG . "We understand their frustration but other groups are determined to stay in the process to the end and work with Government to see if further amendments can be made," Ms Kerins said.
She said there was still a possibility of amendments to one of the five key points raised by the DLCG. This relates to a demand for a clear statutory duty on Government departments to include disabled people when planning and delivering services.
However, Séamus Greene of the NPSA said there was widespread frustration among disabled people and their families at the Government's refusal to allow for substantial amendments to the Bill.
"As far we're concerned, staying in the DLCG would legitimise the situation as it stands. We feel the DLCG has been used to essentially provide a cover for the Government in preparing this bad legislation," Mr Greene said.