Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 737: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans he has to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2006, and came into force on 3 May 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29878/08]

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 898: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the concern expressed recently by the Irish Human Rights Commission regarding the non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the reason for its non-ratification; when it will be ratified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30286/08]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 993: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when Ireland will ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31285/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 737, 898 and 993 together.

It is the Government's intention that the UN Convention will be ratified by Ireland as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure that all necessary requirements under the Convention are being met.

Ireland was in the first group of countries to sign, subject to ratification, the Convention when it opened for signature on 30 March 2007.

An Inter-Departmental Committee has been established to advise on and monitor the actions required to enable the State to ratify the Convention. The committee has developed a work programme that is being actively addressed by Government Departments.

In so far as my own Department is concerned, there is a need to reform the law on legal capacity of vulnerable adults. Accordingly, the Government has recently approved the details of my proposal for a Mental Capacity Bill. The 'heads' of the Bill have been published on my Department's website for consultation. That Bill is an important element of the programme of work on the Convention.