Martin Conway (Fine Gael)

I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Cullinane. It is opportune for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come into the House for a debate on the various aspects of human rights that affect many different migrant communities and minority groups in this country. The periodic review is taking place as we speak. It is probably the first time we have put ourselves up for scrutiny internationally. That is welcome, irrespective of the outcome of the review, because there is always room for improvement.

In terms of UN conventions, the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is not that far off. Once we introduce and pass the mental capacity legislation in this House we will have ticked all the boxes required for ratification of the convention. In terms of our European colleagues, we will be one of the first to ratify that convention when that legislation passes.

I ask the Leader to indicate the scheduled timeframe for that legislation. When can we expect the mental capacity legislation to be brought to Cabinet, published, debated, passed and signed into law by the next President? That is an important issue. It will happen and the sooner it happens, the better. We can beat ourselves up constantly about human rights but we are a nation which, as I stated during the debate with Dr. Maurice Manning, fundamentally respects human rights internationally. For generations our people have gone to the Third World and helped enable people to fight for their human rights. The Irish people support human rights but we must ensure that our legislation is up to standard.

I am delighted that human rights is the issue on which this term of the Seanad is reflecting. I hope that by the end of the term of the programme for Government and this Government's period in office we will see the necessary legislation to ensure we are legislatively proofed when it comes to that issue.