asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if any further consideration has been given by the Government to the statement of February 1971 that Ireland was found to be seriously in breach of its obligations to establish certain minimum standards of social laws under the European Social Charter; and if in particular he is satisfied that Ireland has implemented Article 15 of the Charter which sets out in detail the rights of physically and mentally disabled persons to vocational training, rehabilitation and social resettlement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Social Charter.
19.
I do not accept the unofficial statement to which the Deputy refers. The Report of the Committee of Independent Experts established under Article 25 of the European Social Charter, which examines critically the position of Governments as regards implementation of the Charter, concluded that a further effort would be necessary before Ireland could be considered as fully satisfying the provisions of the Charter. The Committee sought fuller information about the efforts we made and the progress achieved. This has been given in the second biennial report presented to the Council of Europe in December, 1970, which will be considered later this year by the Committee of Independent Experts.
As regards the second part of the question, I am satisfied that Ireland implements Article 15 of the Charter.