The Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016 was published immediately before Christmas and commenced Second Stage in this House on 31 January 2017. The primary purpose of the Bill is to provide for the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The precise timing of ratification now depends on how long it will take for this Bill to progress and, I understand, on issues regarding the commencement of deprivation of liberty provisions, which will be included in the Bill. As Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality, I can say on behalf of the committee members that we are very anxious for this Bill to progress through to final ratification. There is a concern among members that we are being in some way scapegoated in terms of the delay. It is simply not acceptable. I have spoken to the Tánaiste and Minister responsible and have raised the matter on several occasions.

When exactly will the Department of Justice and Equality be ready to bring forward the amendments for Committee Stage address?

I thank the Deputy. I know that he will regard this as a priority once the amendments have been published. It is important that we get to that point as soon as possible in order that we can ratify the convention.

I appreciate the points Deputy Ó Caoláin is making. The amendments are being worked on. They are a priority. They are complex. The task involves working with the Department of Health in respect of the points made by Deputy Ó Caoláin. These are priority amendments. I assure Deputy Ó Caoláin that I expect we will be in a position to move forward with the Bill early after Easter. The Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, is working on the Bill and it is a priority for him. Of course we want to get the amendments done as quickly as possible.