Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister of State said, A Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to review the role of the National Disability Authority. Was that included at his behest during the negotiations and, if so, why did he ask for it? I was talking to someone who works in the area of disabilities who said it would be interesting to find out the nature of this review and what it is trying to find out. The Minister of State might throw some light on that.

The Minister of State also said that there is a good opportunity to review the role and functions of the National Disability Authority and to consider whether changes are appropriate in the context of the changes in Irish society and the position of people with disabilities since its establishment in 1999. Will the authority's role be enhanced with the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities?

The Minister of State also mentioned undertaking the review in the context of a new national disability inclusion strategy. When will the strategy be published?

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