Vol. 455 No. 5
58 Ms O'Donnell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government has considered the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law; if so, if he will outline the implications for the vindication of human rights in the State by Irish citizens who are compelled to take the State to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg in order to vindicate such rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12487/95]
Ireland ratified the European Convention on Human Rights on 25 February 1953; it entered into force on 3 September 1953. The Government attaches great importance to Ireland's adherence to the Convention. In Ireland the rights guaranteed under the Convention are protected by the fundamental rights provisions of the Constitution and by other provisions of Irish law. The question of incorporating the Convention into domestic law has been looked at from time to time as has been the question of incorporation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights where similar issues arise. These issues were most recently examined, in consultation with the Attorney General and other Departments concerned, in the context of Ireland's report to the Human Rights Committee established under the UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which the State is a party. At present there are no plans to incorporate the European Convention into domestic law. Any such plans would of course, be a matter for all Departments concerned.
