merrion street

The Minister of State for Disabilities Finian McGrath T.D., has re-iterated
his commitment to Ireland ratifying the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities. “I am aware of the frustration of
people, especially those with a disability, at what appears to them to be
an unnecessary delay in ratifying the Convention”, the Minister said. “But
I want to re-assure everyone that the ratification of the Convention
remains a very high priority for me and the Government”.

The Minister stressed that before we ratify any convention we must first
ensure that our own domestic legislation is in place to ensure compliance
and to actually protect the people for whose benefit the Convention exists.
“The key remaining barriers to ratification are currently being worked on
by the relevant Government departments or are making their way through the
Oireachtas”, the Minister said. “Of course I am determined that the
Convention will be ratified at an early date but only when we are
legislatively in a position to guarantee compliance. I remain of the view
that the Convention will be the template for the rights of people with
disabilities for generations to come but it is incumbent upon me as
Minister and others in the Oireachtas to get it done properly”, the
Minister added.

The Minister pointed out that the pending ratification of the Convention is
not impeding him in progressing other initiatives in the disability sector.
“Since I had the great honour of being appointed Minister around ten months
ago I have overseen or collaborated with colleagues in Cabinet on a wide
range of programmes and strategies that are aimed at transforming the lives
of people with disabilities”, the Minister said.

“I have demonstrated my commitment to the progression of the rights of
people with a disability whom I have such a respect for and affinity to
throughout my career and I am confident that they know that I have their
interests at heart in everything I do”, the Minister concluded.