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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 May 1991

Vol. 408 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Protection of Human Rights in Northern Ireland.

Tomás MacGiolla

Question:

16 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps the Government have taken to secure the introduction of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, as provided for in the Anglo-Irish Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Roger T. Garland

Question:

45 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether at any time during the consultative process which brought about the Anglo-Irish Agreement and since then, the proposal of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland or for the island as a whole has been raised; if so, by whom; and if he will give details.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 45 together.

Article Five of the Anglo-Irish Agreement states that the Conference will consider "the advantages and disadvantages of a Bill of Rights in some form in Northern Ireland". In February 1987, proposals on a Bill of Rights were presented by the Government to the British Authorities.

The Review of the Working of the Anglo-Irish Conference, completed in 1989, states that:

"Both Governments reaffirm the fundamental importance of the proper protection of human rights and will continue to discuss through the mechanism of the Conference all legislative and other means by which human rights may be better protected in Northern Ireland".

The Government continue to favour the introduction of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

Will the Minister indicate what response, if any, there has been from the British Government or whether the British Government produced alternative proposals with regard to a Bill of Rights given that it is one of the areas about which virtually all of the democratic parties agree? Will the Minister indicate what specific progress has been made with regard to considering the advantages and disadvantages of a specific Bill of Rights as distinct from simply looking at the need to improve the protection of human rights under existing legislation?

Both Governments reaffirm the fundamental importance of the proper protection of human rights and both Governments agree that they will continue to discuss, through the mechanisms of the conference, all legislative and other means by which human rights may be better protected in Northern Ireland.

I heard that the first time. Does this mean that there is agreement between both Governments that a Bill of Rights is something which will be introduced and if so can the Minister indicate on what basis such a Bill would be introduced?

This matter had been discussed on a number of occasions and undoubtedly it could well feature on the agenda for round talks if some can be got underway between the political parties in Northern Ireland, ourselves and the British Government.

Would the Minister agree that it is totally unsatisfactory that five and a half years after the signing of the agreement no progress has been made in this matter and will he accept that the argument put forward that there are problems about a Bill of Rights in one part of the United Kingdom, that at the same time, they will not have it in the whole of the UK, is unacceptable, and will he agree to press this matter forward for a satisfactory conclusion?

The Government are convinced of the need to provide greater protection of human rights in Northern Ireland and remain convinced that a Bill of Rights would provide adequate protection to members of both communities and would reassure them that their basic rights would be protected from legislative or executive abuse. The Government will continue to pursue that goal.

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