Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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358. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be ratified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12764/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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While there was a commitment given, in the 2015 Roadmap, to ratify the Optional Protocol at the same time as the Convention, the current focus has been on ratifying the Convention itself as a first step. The Convention and the Optional Protocol cover a broad range of commitments some of which require substantive cultural change.  Work is continuing on the reforms needed for Ireland's compliance with the Convention's requirements.  For this reason, a phased approach is seen as the most practical and realistic way of moving ahead.  Accordingly the Optional Protocol is not being ratified at this time but will be ratified as soon as possible, at the latest following completion of Ireland's first reporting cycle which will identify any actions needed with regard to compliance with the Convention.   

The timescale for opting into the Optional Protocol will be determined following completion of the first reporting cycle under the Convention.