Disability protocol to be ratified after ‘disgraceful’ six-year delay

THE Government has said it is preparing to ratify a ‘transformative’ protocol on disability rights.

Ministers have been pressed to ratify a UN proposal on disabilities, at a time when some are expressing reservations about the referendum on carers.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said that the State’s ‘neglect’ towards the 22% of the population with a disability is ‘ruining lives’ and that there is distrust in the Government on disability issues.

The Cork TD asked that the Government ratify the optional protocol of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, which she said could be ‘transformative’.

‘In 2018 the Government ratified the Convention, but for six years, it has refused to sign the part which means the Government can be held to account for failing to allow people to exercise their rights. It is disgraceful.’

She said Taoiseach Leo Varadkar outlined last week his commitment to signing the protocol during this Government’s term.

Mr Varadkar told the Dáil last Wednesday that he had spoken to Minister of State Anne Rabbitte and Attorney General Rossa Fanning about the issue.

Yesterday, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe reiterated the Government’s commitment.

‘We had originally planned to progress ratification of the original protocol after the conclusion of our first progress review within the existing convention,’ he said in response to Ms Cairns.

The Dáil also heard that some disabled people and carers have reservations about the wording of the carers amendment in the upcoming referendum.

The March 8 proposal would remove articles in the constitution that reference a woman’s ‘life within the home’ and ‘duties in the home’, and replace them with a statement that the State ‘shall strive to support’ family carers.