Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State should have thought of it. I want it on the record that I think it is shameful.

I wish to share time with Deputies Funchion, Buckley and Brady.

Persons with disabilities encounter too many socially constructed barriers and the delay in ratifying this convention was one of those shameful barriers that they faced. Today is a bittersweet achievement, as we convene here in this Chamber to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. The fact that Ireland is the last EU country to ratify the Convention casts a shadow of shame upon each successive Government since the signing of it 11 years ago. Although many of us here tonight have spoken on the issue on many occasions previously, let it be known in no uncertain terms that it was the unyielding and relentless campaigning of the disability rights activists throughout the country that brought about this moment. I commend each and every one of those people. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, has played a role too - I acknowledge that - along with my colleague, Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, who has also been relentless in the campaign on this issue.

It is well beyond time that the equal status of persons living with disabilities was vested in law and that the mechanisms of the State were compelled to ensure their full and equal enjoyment of the rights and freedoms of a sovereign society.

I want to point out quickly that the delays in occupational and speech therapy services are shameful. We must tackle that. We must create a truly inclusive society and we must take down those barriers and deal with the frustrations that are aggravating people and setting us back in the process.

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