Written answers

Thursday, 25 April 2013

Department of Justice and Equality

UN Conventions Ratification

Photo of Andrew DoyleAndrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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156. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the steps he and his Department have taken towards ratifying the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; if he will outline the remaining legislative work that is required by his Department before it is ratified by Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19539/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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At my Department one of the key requirements is the enactment of capacity legislation. Drafting of the Bill is being finalised with a view to meeting the commitment in the Government Legislation Programme which indicates that the Bill is expected to be published in the current session. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce a Bill that is in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Work is being completed to properly align the provisions of the Bill with the principles contained in the UN Convention on supporting people with impaired capacity in making decisions and exercising their basic rights. I envisage that the revised title of the Bill, The Assisted Decision - Making (Capacity) Bill, will reflect this approach.

The ongoing implementation of our National Disability Strategy in many respects comprehends many of the provisions of the Convention. In addition, the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Convention chaired by my Department monitors the remaining legislative and administrative actions required to enable ratification. The committee has identified as part of its work programme, issues to be considered by various Government Departments including my Department. At the Committee's request, the National Disability Authority, the lead statutory agency for the sector, is in the process of assisting it to assess the remaining requirements for ratification so as to ensure conclusively that all such issues will be addressed.

It is the Government's intention to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 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 become party to treaties until it is first in a position to comply with the obligations imposed by the treaty in question, including by amending domestic law as necessary.

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