Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday was the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It is timely to remind ourselves that although 2018 has been an important year for citizens with a disability, much remains to be done. In March, the State finally ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was very welcome. However, that ratification was only a first step and the real measure of delivery will be the implementation of the rights contained in the convention. It is very disappointing that the Government did not ratify the optional protocol to the convention as promised. Several matters remain outstanding to comply fully with the convention. I understand that Committee Stage of the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016 is scheduled for late December and that is very welcome. However, the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 remains at a standstill with the essential establishment of a decision support service still needed. When will that important work be progressed and when will the State be in a position to ratify the optional protocol to the convention?

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