The Taoiseach has committed to ratifying the Optional Protocol for the UN Convention on the Rights of People With Disabilities in the term of this government – he must now provide a precise date, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns.
“Last night, Minister for Disability Roderic O’Gorman said “Ireland is falling down in terms of our response to disabled people”.
“He then suggested a specific referendum on disability rights may be required in the future to prevent this.
“This should be obvious to the Minister, but the government should not need a referendum to force it to provide rights and services to people with disabilities. It could just do it.
“In the Dáil today, I queried this outrageous statement with the Taoiseach – and asked when his government was going to provide rights-based services to disabled people.
“I also asked the Taoiseach to commit to ratifying the Optional Protocol for the UN Convention on the Rights of People With Disabilities before the referendums on care and the family take place next month.
“In his reply, the Taoiseach said he was committed to ratifying the Optional Protocol in the lifetime of this government, but time is running out. This government has a maximum of 12 months left to run.
“Disabled people have waited long enough. The Taoiseach must now tell us precisely when his government intends ratifying the Optional Protocol – which allows disabled people enforce their rights under the UN Convention.”
Ends
21 February 2024