Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I work very closely with the Minister, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, on this issue because as far as we are concerned, we have a vision to include people with disabilities in the broader equality agenda. Second, my job, as Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities, is to deal specifically with the issues the Deputy has raised.

As the Deputy knows, it is referred to as a super junior. Of course, in an ideal world, I would prefer if it was a senior Ministry in its own right. We raised this during the talks. I accept the Deputy's point. The Deputy also mentioned that Fianna Fáil proposed a Minister for social protection and disability and I was very conscious of that at the time. Given the events this week work on the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill has been derailed. I was supposed to be in the House last week to bring in the particular Bill. I believe it will be back in the Chamber in the next two weeks. I will be listening to the suggestions made by Deputies Murphy O'Mahony and Jonathan O'Brien on disability and the issue of equality. That is the answer to the question.

With regard to the UN convention, we are at a very advanced stage. There are number of technical and legal issues to be resolved. They are with the Office of the Attorney General. There are other smaller delays at the Department of Health. I am determined we will ratify the UN convention as quickly as possible.

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