Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

As a person who has worked in the field of disability and has always advocated for the rights of people with disabilities, it is imperative that the Bill is debated. I welcome the Bill which, it is to be hoped, finally addresses the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Ireland. It is now almost ten years since it was signed but, as of yet, Ireland has failed to ratify the convention.

Over 150 countries around the world have ratified the convention since its conception. Many people find the length of time it has taken to comply and ratify a convention that stops discrimination on the basis of ability quite extraordinary. Other countries have ratified the convention without adhering to every single piece of legislation. The very principles of ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be a major step forward for the 600,000 people with disabilities in Ireland, who comprise 13% of the population. It will also send a very clear signal that their rights are respected and vindicated.

There has been a decade of delay or, more aptly, a lost decade during which persons with disabilities were discriminated against disproportionately in terms of health, poverty, education and employment. Part of the Bill is to be welcomed as it will amend outdated legislation and include people with disabilities who were excluded. The hard of hearing have been excluded from jury duty. We need to introduce a standard in regard to reasonable accommodation. The quota for the employment in the public sector of people with disabilities needs to be extended to Garda civilian staff. More responsibility needs to be given to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.

I disagree with the introduction of certain sections on Committee Stage, in particular those dealing with the Social Welfare Act and the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act. People with disabilities have been waiting over ten years for this country to ratify the convention. Perhaps there is a fear that the State will be sued because it is breaching the legal requirements involved.

I hope ratification of the convention takes place in the next couple of weeks. It is to be hoped that people with disabilities can finally become part of a society which has largely forgotten about and discriminated against them over the past ten years. It is to be hoped that the Bill will finally ensure the ratification of the convention.

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