Disability convention ratification
Deputy O'Sullivan asked about progress on the remaining legislation needed to ratify the UN disability convention. The Tánaiste said ratification remained the goal and the outstanding legislation was being worked through with the Department of Health.
Five other Deputies are offering and I will take them all if they will be very brief.
Comment on this
It has been the intention for some time to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Most of the measures necessary to do so have been taken but the equality and disability (miscellaneous provisions) Bill remains to be enacted. Can the Tánaiste inform the House of the progress on that legislation? Will we reach the goal of ratification of the convention before the end of the year?
Comment on this
We hope very much to be in a position to reach that goal. There is some outstanding legislation which has been the subject of discussions between the Department of Health and me. It is legislation which impacts on the Department of Health in particular and it has been working on the issue. It is my intention to reach the stated goal of ratification by the end of the year.