Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach's explanation will come as cold comfort to the many thousands of people with disabilities across Ireland. The rationale for the decisions of other European Union member states in opting for early ratification was that it creates an imperative to put in place the mechanisms required to ensure compliance. What we have seen here is the matter being put on the long finger for ten years.

The Taoiseach indicated that the general scheme of the equality (miscellaneous provisions) Bill had been agreed in March 2016. It is now December 2016 and we are no closer to seeing the Bill in the House. Clearly, therefore, the target of ratifying the convention by the end of 2016 will not be met. Will the Taoiseach commit to a date by which the ratification process will be completed? We have all seen Bills being stalled and delayed for years before completing their passage through the House. It is time the Taoiseach committed to and stood firmly behind a date to ensure ratification takes place.

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