Vol. 457 No. 7
69 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government obtained copies of the 1993 report of the United Nations Human Rights Committee which refers to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15923/95]
70 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government or any of its representatives made any approaches to the United Nations Human Rights Committee to discuss the committee's comments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15926/95]
I will take the Deputy's two questions, which are related, together.
The Government has received copies of the 1993 report of the United Nations Human Rights Committee to the 48th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The human rights committee is the body charged with considering national reports on measures adopted and progress made in achieving the observance of the rights enshrined in the international covenant on civil and political rights. Ireland ratified the covenant on 8 December 1989 and presented its first national report at a public hearing in Geneva, 14-16 July 1993. The human rights committee expressed its satisfaction with the high quality of the report and the constructive dialogue which it had with the high-level Irish delegation led by the then Attorney-General. The committee raised some concerns about Ireland's implementation of the covenant, as is usual when it considers the report of a state party.
The comments adopted by the committee at its meeting of 28 July are reflected in a document issued on 3 August 1993. The committee's consideration of the examination of Ireland's initial report under the convention is contained in the human rights committee's subsequent annual report to the United Nations General Assembly's 48th session. Neither the Government nor any of its representatives have made approaches to the United Nations Human Rights Committee to discuss the committee's comments. While the comments have been kept under review by the relevant implementing Departments, it is not the normal practice for states parties to maintain a dialogue with the committee. The second national report, which is currently under preparation, will take into account the comments of the committee on Ireland's first national report in 1993.
