Commission also seeks progress on Individual complaints mechanism for people with disabilities under Convention
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (“The Commission”) has called on the Minister for Equality and the Minister of State for Disability to commit to an annual Dáil statement on how Ireland is meeting its human rights obligations for people with disabilities. Chief Commissioner Sinéad Gibney speaking today before the Oireachtas’ Disability Matters Committee set out the Commission’s concern about growing delays in implementation and reporting under the UN Convention. The Commission has written directly to Ministers O’Gorman and Rabbitte to propose that the Government makes an annual statement to the Dáil on Ireland’s progress on implementation of the CRPD, beginning this year, as a matter of transparency. Chief Commissioner, Sinéad Gibney and Commission Member Adam Harris, who is also Vice-Chair of the Commission’s Disability Advisory Committee, have also set out the need for the State to bring forward ratification of the Convention’s ‘Optional Protocol’. This would establish a mechanism for people with disabilities to make individual complaints directly to the UN. Ireland is one of only three EU Member States not to have either signed or ratified the Optional Protocol, along with Poland and the Netherlands. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is Ireland’s independent National Human Rights Institution and National Equality Body, and is the designated independent monitor of Ireland’s obligations under the CRPD. Sinéad Gibney, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission said:“The Commission is concerned about delays around Ireland’s progress in CRPD implementation and accountability. The importance of visible progress to people with disabilities and their organisations, who campaigned and worked to see this Convention ratified, cannot be overstated. “The making of an annual statement to the Dáil on Ireland’s progress in implementing the UNCRPD would be a hugely positive signal, and a demonstrable commitment to meeting Ireland’s international obligations to people with disabilities. “Considering Ireland’s delays in reporting to the UN and an anticipated lengthy UN examination delay once the State report is submitted, the Commission suggests that the State’s plan to ratify the Optional Protocol after the first reporting cycle needs to be reconsidered and brought forward.”ENDS/ For further information, please contact: Karen Joynt 087 448 2963 / Karen.Joynt@ihrec.ie