David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 595: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 1 June 2004, the progress that has been made in relation to the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities; the position of the Government on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22362/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy is aware, the General Assembly of the United Nations established an ad hoc committee, AHC, to consider proposals for a UN Convention to promote and protect the dignity and rights of persons with disabilities. At the second meeting of this committee in June 2003, it was decided to set up a working group to prepare a draft convention for consideration by the AHC. The working group met in January 2004 and prepared a draft.

This draft was considered by the ad hoc committee on three occasions since, at its third session in May-June 2004, its fourth session in August-September 2004 and at its fifth session in January-February 2005. At the May 2004 meeting and during the first week of the August 2004 meeting, UN member states set out their positions on each article in turn and non-governmental organisations were given the opportunity to comment.

During the second week of the August 2004 meeting, the committee started a line-by-line examination of the text. This work continued at the AHC's meeting in January of this year and will be continued at the next meeting of the committee in August next.

During these negotiations, the differences between UN member states on individual paragraphs are being narrowed; areas of consensus are being identified and matters requiring further negotiation are also being highlighted. This work is taking place on the basis that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.

As the Deputy will be aware, EU member states co-ordinate their positions on the draft text of the convention on an ongoing basis, with the EU position being presented to the ad hoc committee by the EU Presidency. Ireland is working with our partners to develop common EU negotiating positions that find acceptance with all EU member states. Further meetings of the committee will be required. It is likely to be sometime before the text of a convention, acceptable to all UN member states, has been agreed.