Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

On the disability area generally, this Administration has put on a statutory footing many important landmark statutes, which provided, quite properly, the rights framework for people with disabilities going forward. Much of the multiannual investment has been allocated quite rightly to that area and I hope that will continue.

The mental capacity Bill, which deals with some of the issues that are perhaps also covered by that convention, is due later this year. Various items of legislation are sometimes brought forward to adapt various parts of a convention rather than having an omnibus enactment which, while ratifying conventions, in terms of the wide application and interpretation of them may well be such as to be beyond the policy positions of Governments at any given time.

Our commitment in this area is well worth recognising. We have been working hard in the disability area. The mental capacity Bill deals with another aspect of disability. As I said, it is due later this year.

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