The objective of achieving equality in real terms between men and women is one which receives my firm support both at national level and in the international sphere. The Council of Europe's Draft Report on Achieving Real Progress in Women's Rights as from 1995 was adopted on 8 March this year by the Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights. It is a valuable contribution to the promotion of this objective.
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has instructed its Steering Committee for Human Rights to look into the question of the feasibility and necessity of drafting a Protocol on equality between men and women to the European Convention on Human Rights. Consideration of any Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights that might be drafted in this area is a matter for all Ministers to consider from the perspective of their own areas of responsibility. In the area of women's rights, specific responsibility will rest with my colleague, the Minister for Equality and Law Reform.
