Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I fully agree with the Deputy on one point. There is no referendum that will in itself improve services and there is no referendum that is going to build anymore house or anything like that. I totally agree with the Deputy in that regard. It can only ever be a certain part of the picture. We are putting record amounts of resources into disability services. Approximately €2 billion per year goes into disability services. I know there are huge gaps around the country. I meet the same people who are affected and hear the same stories as the Deputy.

Specifically, with regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, that convention was ratified by the previous Government, which I had the honour to lead. It is our intention to ratify the optional protocol on the rights of people with disabilities. I cannot say to the Deputy that it will be done in the next two or three weeks. I wish it had been. Quite frankly, it would have helped. However, I have spoken to the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and to the Attorney General about this. I am not satisfied with the reasons being given for it not being done yet, quite frankly. It is my intention and my commitment to do that during the term of office of this Government.

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