Government must stop dragging its heels on disability rights convention – Ní Riada

Speaking from Strasbourg today Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada called on the Government to ratify the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) eight years after signing the UN rights agreement.

“Last week I added my name to a cross-party resolution in the European Parliament on the rights of people with disabilities. MEPs from across Europe are calling for the European Union and its member states to strengthen their commitment to enshrining and vindicating the rights of people with disabilities.

“The Irish Government must play its part and ratify the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. Over 595,000 Irish people live with a disability and it is unacceptable that the Government delay ratification of the CRPD any further.

“Sinn Féin supports the vision of an Ireland and a Europe where society values every disabled person, and where the fundamental freedom exists to exercise the rights reflected in the CRDP. A crucial first step in realising this vision is the ratification.

“There is no legal or constitutional reason for the Government not to ratify the CRDP. It is simply a matter of policy and priority. Ratification would preclude the Government from inflicting harsh cuts to services and supports for people with disabilities. It is clear that sticking to an austerity is more important to Fine Gael and Labour that vindicating the rights of people with disabilities.”