Roderic O'Gorman

The new group will include all relevant government departments as well as the Office of the Attorney General, and will be tasked with reporting back to government on a pathway to ratification.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is completing a scoping exercise to form the basis of the group’s work.

Minister Roderic O’Gorman said: “Ratification is a programme for government commitment and ratification will be an important reaffirmation of Ireland’s commitment to the UNCRPD and to improving the lives of persons with disabilities.

“This inter-departmental group will pool resources across government in working through the opportunities and the complexities of ratification, and will ensure Ireland is positioned for ratification.

“I will be tasking the group with accelerating the work required for ratification welcome the focus that will be brought across government to this issue.”

Anne Rabbitte, the minister of state with responsibility for disability, added: “This is a crucial part of our due diligence as a State in making sure that we are properly set up to comply with the Optional Protocol, and to therefore maximise the positive impact for persons with disabilities.

“I look forward to engagements across government on this exciting step in Ireland’s disability journey, and to the energy and the fresh drive that this group will bring to the next steps of this work.”