My question relates to promised legislation. The Dáil ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 7 March last. It is an important element of any international agreement that those who do not receive proper treatment by the State under the agreement have a system of recourse at international level. The Government has failed to ratify the optional protocol to the UN convention, which provides a means of ensuring the rights set out in the convention are affirmed and provided for. It is important for this to be done in tandem with the promised confirmation that the convention itself has been ratified. There has been a failure to ratify the protocol. There are 11,393 people with disabilities in County Laois and 11,154 people with disabilities in County Offaly, to mention just two of the 26 counties in this State. We need legislation to ensure the optional protocol provides redress and recourse to those people who feel failed under the current system. When will such legislation be introduced and enacted? When will the Government ensure people with disabilities enjoy full rights?

I understand that a monitoring framework for the convention is being put in place. It will include the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and the National Disability Authority. The Act was designed to ensure they will meet the standard of independence. That is being guaranteed. I understand the optional protocol referred to by the Deputy is not being ratified at this time, but will be ratified as soon as possible following the completion of Ireland's first reporting cycle.

What is the timeframe for that?

A particular date for the completion of the first reporting cycle has not been provided to me.

Maybe someone will get that information and revert to the Deputy with it.

I will revert to the Deputy on the matter.