Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Dec 2002

Vol. 559 No. 5

Written Answers. - UN Conventions.

Joe Costello

Question:

76 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the participation of persons with disabilities he has facilitated in the work of the UN Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Peoples with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26521/02]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

As the Deputy is aware the United Nations has for some time been considering options for an instrument aimed at the protection and promotion of the human rights of persons with disabilities, and the Government is committed to working with like minded countries in international fora to address this issue.

The first meeting of the UN Ad Hoc Committee to consider proposals for a comprehensive and integral international convention on protection and promotion of the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities was held in New York from 29 July to 9 August last. As part of Ireland's national preparations for this meeting, my Department, in conjunction with the National Disability Authority and the Irish Human Rights Commission, organised a conference on the theme "Towards a United Nations Convention on the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities". This took place on 26 February last. The participants at the conference included representatives of Governments, international organisations, academics, national and international NGOs working in the field of disability and disabled persons themselves. The conference proceedings were submitted to the UN Ad Hoc Committee to inform its deliberations.

At the first meeting of the UN Ad Hoc Committee Ireland was represented by an official from my Department and by a representative of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The delegation also included a member of the Irish Human Rights Commission, Professor Gerard Quinn, Dean of the Faculty of Law, NUI Galway, who is an acknowledged expert in the area of international law and disability law, and who was present as an independent expert.

Ireland, along with our EU partners, is committed to ensuring the full and active participation of NGOs, including NGOs representing persons with disabilities, in the work of the UN Ad Hoc Committee.