Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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692. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide his response to a letter from a United Nations official (details supplied) concerning the way that he represented that official’s remarks during the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages. [38114/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I have received a letter from Professor Ruskus and a response to him is being prepared.

During the Report Stage debate on the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022, I referenced positive comments made by Professor Ruskus on Ireland’s legislation at the recent World Congress on Adult Capacity in Edinburgh.

Professor Ruskus has since clarified that his remarks in Edinburgh were not intended to refer specifically to compliance with Article 12 on equal recognition before the law. The contribution I made referred generally to Mr Ruskus’ positive assessment rather than specifically to compliance with Article 12.

I would take this opportunity to stress that this is an urgently needed legislative reform which will replace the archaic wards of court system with decision supports that will address the needs of vulnerable people with capacity difficulties.