Adapted from RTÉ News March 7th 2018.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been ratified by the Dáil.

Disability groups and campaigners were in the gallery of the house to witness the ratification.

A document will now be sent to the United Nations in New York, where it will be formally ratified.
Once it is received by the UN, it will come into force after 30 days.

Ireland is the last of the 27 European Union states to ratify the convention, which was adopted by the UN in 2006.

It protects equal treatment for all people with disabilities with respect to human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Speaking in the Dáil tonight, The Minister for DIsability said the convention promotes, protects and ensures the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities.

The Minister said that Ireland would demonstrate its commitment internationally in ensuring that people with disabilities are afforded every opportunity to realise their potential in all facets of their lives.

While the majority of TDs welcomed the motion, a number of opposition TDs expressed concern over the length of time it has taken to get to this point, given the convention was adopted by the UN in 2006, and
warned ratification of the treaty alone would not end discrimination faced by those with disabilities. This is a first step.

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