Ireland was one of the last countries world-wide to ratify the convention and I am delighted that Minister for Disabilities, Finian McGrath, T.D., committed to ratification upon his appointment in 2016. I brought forward a motion asking for all DLRCC councillors to support ratification, which was passed by a majority. I had ongoing discussions with Minister McGrath who kept me updated in this regard.

I was delighted that the ratification of the UN Convention was introduced in 2018. There are currently 600,000 people with a disability in Ireland. This ratification will also help their carers, the parents of special needs children and families who have an elderly member suffering with the onset of dementia or mobility problems.