The White Paper on Foreign Policy, "Challenges and Opportunities Abroad", made clear that the Government regarded human rights as a central part of Ireland's foreign policy. Chapter 8 of the White Paper signalled a number of initiatives being taken by the Government in the human rights area, including the establishment of a human rights unit in my Department for the first time.
A number of important other initiatives were also outlined in Chapter 8 of the White Paper. First, recognising that greater co-ordination was needed between Government Departments on human rights issues, it indicated that a new standing interdepartmental committee was being established to consider all aspects of Ireland's international human rights obligations. Second, the White Paper acknowledged the increasing role and importance of non-governmental organisations in the formulation of Ireland's foreign policy. Accordingly, it indicated the level of contact between the Department and NGOs on the human rights aspects of foreign policy had become so intensive that it had been decided to establish a formal framework for a regular exchange of views between the Department and representatives of the NGO community and a new joint standing committee representing the Department, NGOs and experts in the human rights field was, therefore, being established.
Following completion of the Presidency of the EU, which was particularly active in the human rights area, preparations for the establishment of these two committees were intensified. The Standing Interdepartmental Committee on Human Rights, which had its first meeting on 18 February last, has already begun implementation of a full programme of work. I am certain it will contribute significantly to improving interdepartmental co-ordination on human rights issues.
Work on establishing the standing committee involving NGOs and human rights experts has almost been completed. Detailed research has been undertaken on how other countries approach this issue in order to determine the model most suited to the Irish situation. Informal consultations on the matter have taken place with a number of NGOs. I attach considerable importance to this committee and this is reflected in the level of preparation which is being made for its establishment. It is intended that this committee will be instituted very shortly. I look forward to the vital contribution which it can make to the formulation of the human rights aspects of Ireland's foreign policy. I am confident that its work will enhance considerably the role Ireland can play internationally in this critical area.
