Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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113. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of Ireland’s ratification of the Optional Protocol of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including expected timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36704/22]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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135. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of plans for Ireland to sign and ratify the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the timeline for the signing and ratification of the optional protocol; the status of the review by his Department on the requirements for ratification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36524/22]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 135 together.

Ireland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) on 20 March 2018. This marked an important milestone in a process to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland that has gathered momentum since Ireland became a signatory to the Convention in 2007.

I recognise the importance of the Optional Protocol to the UNCRPD. As the Deputy will be aware, the Optional Protocol is an international treaty that establishes procedures aimed at strengthening the implementation and monitoring of the Convention. Ratification of the Optional Protocol is a commitment in the Programme for Government, to follow the State's first periodic review before the UN Committee.

Due to delays at UN level, Ireland’s appearance before the Committee will now be delayed, possibly for some time. In light of this, both Minister O'Gorman and I have indicated that we are open to earlier ratification, contingent on the State being in a position to meet its obligations thereunder. This is reflective of the State’s long-standing approach to entering into binding international obligations in good faith, and at a point where the State is in a position to meet its obligations.

Work is being undertaken on the process of examining the requirements for ratification, including the legal steps needed in advance of ratification. This work is being progressed as part of the development of the UNCRPD Implementation Plan.