Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There are complex legal issues involved and I am not allowed to go into them in more detail. There were delays in both the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Health, and in recent weeks in respect of certain aspects of the legislation. People want to be very sure. Recently, I visited Galway where I met people from the Galway Centre for Independent Living and Marion Maloney. Ms Maloney asked me to ratify the UN convention but warned me to be careful to ensure that the legislation was well thought out, planned and unhurried. When I came back to Dublin, I talked to my officials in my Department and the Office of the Attorney General who expressed the same view that we must get this matter right. Two of the issues are reasonable accommodation and the deprivation of liberty. There are also issues with the Supreme Court that I am reluctant to discuss. I give the Senator a commitment that I will get back to him with a direct answer to his question.