Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My question relates to page 70 of the programme for Government and impending legislation. It is on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Despite the then Government signing the convention in 2007, Ireland is the only EU country that has not ratified it. This is an incredibly important human rights treaty. It is an absolute affront to people with disabilities in this country that it has not been signed. I include in this regard those with physical, mental, intellectual or sensory disabilities. I appreciate that the legislation is at the pre-legislative stage. It behoves us, as an inclusive society, to ratify the convention as soon as possible. Any progress on this would be very welcome by people with disabilities, their families and those who support them.

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