Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 460: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if and when Ireland will ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; if Ireland has signed the optional protocol; if not, the rationale for not doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27117/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland was in the first group of countries to sign, subject to ratification, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities when it opened for signature on 30 March 2007.

A high-level, cross-departmental implementation group was established earlier this year to advise on any changes to the Government's National Disability Strategy that may be required to enable the State ratify the Convention.

Ireland, among a substantial number of other contracting States, has not signed the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention. The matter will be considered further in the context of a decision to ratify the Convention.