Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
345. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the optional protocol in relation to the UNCRPD (details supplied) has been signed; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12391/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile there was a commitment given, in the 2015 Roadmap, to ratify the Optional Protocol at the same time as the Convention, the current focus has been on ratifying the Convention itself as a first step. The Convention and the Optional Protocol cover a broad range of commitments some of which require substantive cultural change. For this reason, a phased approach is seen as the most practical and realistic way of moving ahead. Accordingly the Optional Protocol is not being ratified at this time.
The matter of opting into the Optional Protocol will be reviewed and further considered following completion of the first reporting cycle under the Convention. Due to the variability and uncertainty of the reporting cycle it is not possible to give an exact date at this juncture.
