Dáil to ratify UN disability convention despite legislative obstacles

Ireland signed the international agreement in March 2007 and is the last country in the European Union to ratify it.

Inclusion Ireland, the national association for people with an intellectual disability, welcomed the “historic occasion”, but warned that “much more work remains to be done from here”.

Inclusion Ireland CEO Paddy Connolly said: “The Convention does not confer any new rights on people with disabilities but it does set out in clear terms that the rights of persons with disabilities are the same human rights as enjoyed by everyone else.

“It is clear from the length of time it has taken to get to the point of ratification that people with disabilities have not been a priority for successive Governments in Ireland over the past decade.”

Mr Connolly said there are still substantial legislative amendments which are needed before Ireland will actually comply with the UNCRPD, including to laws on capacity and assisted decision-making.

He said: “The failure to commence the Assisted Decision-Making Act, issues relating to reasonable accommodation in provision of goods and services, and lack of safeguards around the deprivation of liberty for people with disabilities and older people means that Ireland will not be able to comply with the Convention and a clear commitment from Government is needed to get these matters in order.”

Following Ireland’s ratification of the UNCRPD the Irish performance will be monitored by the UN and a mechanism involving the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission will be established, including an ‘advisory group’ of people with lived experience of disability.

Inclusion Ireland has called for the group to be given “the supports they require and the resources they need to effectively monitor whether Ireland is upholding the rights of people with disabilities”.