Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today is UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities and it is always good to have a day on which people can reflect on what has been achieved to date and what has yet to be achieved. Today's theme is breaking down barriers and opening doors. It is interesting that Ireland has not ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Both parties have committed to this in the programme for Government. Will the Leader establish when it is expected we will ratify the UN convention, as this is a fundamental right of people with disabilities? I would have liked this to have happened during our Presidency of the EU. That was a golden opportunity to achieve this but, unfortunately, it did not happen. There may be a good reason for the delay and I would like a date for the ratification.

I was delighted to be at Farmleigh House earlier for the official launch of an inspiring programme to encourage young people to become involved in sport. The project is financially supported by the Department of Justice and Equality and it is being run by the Cara APA Centre, which is associated with Tralee Institute of Technology. The Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities issues, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, launched the programme and I am delighted that Joanne Cantwell, a sports journalist, is lending her support by becoming a patron of this important and prestigious programme. It is good to have a day like this to highlight the issues affecting people with disabilities and to give us all an opportunity to reflect on how we can do better to strive to ensure an equal opportunity for every citizen in our society.