Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Apr 1996

Vol. 464 No. 4

Written Answers. - Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

63 Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, if any, made in remedying the concerns raised by the UN Human Rights Committee regarding Ireland's implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8375/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The Department of Foreign Affairs co-ordinates the preparation of Ireland's report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Ireland's first national report was published in October 1992 and presented to the Human Rights Committee, the body charged with examining these national reports. It was examined in July 1993.

Arising out of the examination the committee compiled its "General Comments" which raised some concerns about Ireland's implementation of the covenant, as is normal when it considers State Party reports. These concerns were conveyed to the appropriate implementing Departments. The responsibility for remedying these concerns is a matter for them.

Ireland's second report is currently being prepared by the human rights unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs. This involves all the appropriate Government Departments providing relevant information on measures taken on points of concern raised by the Human Rights Committee and updating the first report where necessary to provide information on administrative, legislative and constitutional developments and policy initiatives undertaken since the first report.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has already received information from the implementing Departments for this report and is awaiting further material to complete it. When the report is completed it will be published and transmitted to the committee in Geneva and it will be examined publicly by the committee in due course.