Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress that has been made towards Ireland's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6965/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that it is the Government's intention to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure that all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are being met. As the Deputy may be aware, Ireland does not tend to become party to treaties until it is first in a position to comply with the obligations imposed by the treaty in question, including the amendment of domestic law as necessary.

The ongoing implementation of our National Disability Strategy in many respects already comprehends many of the provisions of the Convention. In addition, the Inter-Departmental Committee on the UNCRPD monitors the remaining legislative and administrative actions required to enable the State to ratify the Convention. The Committee has developed a programme on which work is progressing to address the matters that need to be aligned with the UNCRPD.