Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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352. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when 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. [20442/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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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.

Ireland's approach to meeting the obligations of the UNCRPD is one of continuous advancement - each year moving forward on key reforms to consistently strengthen and uphold obligations and rights arising from the Convention.

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, and both I and my colleagues across Government support this fully.

Ratification of the Optional Protocol is a commitment in the Programme for Government. The timeline for ratification was originally anticipated to follow the conclusion of Ireland’s first review period before the UN Committee.

Due to delays at UN level Ireland’s appearance before the Committee will now be delayed. Due to this delay, Minister O'Gorman and I have indicated that we are open to the earlier ratification of the Optional Protocol.

My Department is continuing to scope out the requirements for earlier ratification. This scoping work is required due to the long-standing position of the state in relation to honouring international agreements. As a matter of foreign policy, Ireland does not enter into binding international treaties until we are confident that the obligations set out within can be complied with. As such, the ongoing scoping exercise is procedurally necessary.

While I am not yet in a position to give an exact date for ratification, it is a priority for me to ensure that the Optional Protocol is ratified at the earliest possible date.