Vol. 572 No. 5
99 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Ireland did not sponsor a UN resolution on disability at the Commission on Human Rights in 2003 in view of the fact that Ireland has sponsored such a resolution on previous occasions. [23701/03]
Ireland, with our EU partners, was a sponsor of the resolution on the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the 59th session of the Commission on Human Rights this year.
100 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland is represented on the UN General Assembly ad hoc committee on a comprehensive and integral international convention on protection and promotion of the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities; the Government's position on the need for such a convention; the options the Government favours, whether a treaty on discrimination convention, a comprehensive human rights convention, a holistic convention, or protocols or annexes to existing treaties; and the steps the Government has taken to facilitate or speed up the process of conclusion in this matter. [23702/03]
To date two sessions of the UN ad hoc committee to consider proposals on a comprehensive and integral international convention on promotion and protection of the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities have taken place. These sessions were held in New York from 29 July to 9 August 2002 and from 16 to 27 June 2003. On both occasions Ireland was represented by officials from my Department and from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
At the second session of the ad hoc committee, the EU expressed its support for an international convention whose purpose should be to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities. The fundamental principles to be followed are: non- discrimination, equality of opportunity, autonomy, participation and integration. The EU also tabled a paper setting out in more detail elements for such a convention. Ireland participated actively in EU discussions on the proposed convention and supports the EU common position I have described. It is expected that work will begin early next year on drawing up a draft convention for consideration by the ad hoc committee. I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to participate actively and constructively in all meetings at EU and UN level on this matter.
