John Bruton
Question:10 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will give details of his visit and address to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17048/97]
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Address to European Summit.
I attended the Heads of State and Government Summit of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 10 October last.
I have placed copies of my address to the summit in the Library of the House. I have also placed copies of the declaration and action plan adopted at the summit in the Library of the House.
In my address I welcomed the new permanent Court of Human Rights to be established under the aegis of the Council of Europe, and I emphasised the important role the court would play in the protection of human rights in the new Europe. I also strongly supported the commitments in both the declaration and action plan to tackle drug trafficking and abuse and exploitation of children. As I also stated in my address, I hope the initiatives and measures agreed at the summit will ensure that the Council of Europe can progress from standard setting in the area of human rights to widespread enforcement.
I took the opportunity in Strasbourg to have a number of bilateral meetings with other Heads of Government. I will report separately on my meeting with Prime Minister Blair. I also had meetings with the Prime Ministers of Turkey, Portugal and Sweden. These meetings facilitated an exchange of views on matters of mutual concern notably, enlargement, future arrangements for the Structural and Cohesion Funds and employment policy.
Does the Taoiseach agree the Council of Europe is grossly underfunded in respect of its ability to effectively develop new human rights initiatives in Europe? Is this underfunding, which has been prevalent for many years, a serious obstacle to the development of a positive role for this organisation?
The organisation continues to encounter funding difficulties, which are being addressed in the context of its enlargement to 44 countries. From November of next year — the organisation's 50th anniversary — it will take on not only its new role in respect of the central and eastern European countries but also the new court system dealing with human rights, in which judges from all member states will be involved. This will place an increased financial burden on the Council of Europe. It was stressed at the Strasbourg meeting that if people wish the organisation to continue to play its key role in respect of human rights — I acknowledge its work since 1949 in this area — it must be granted adequate resources. Included in the arrangements for the new court are structures which deal matters of finance, payment and the remuneration of the individuals concerned. Agreement has been reached in this, which may be of assistance to the administration of the court.
We are not merely discussing the funding of the court, but the funding of a European organisation with interests beyond the area of human rights. Does the Taoiseach agree it was a waste of time to partake in a summit of this kind at Strasbourg and not deal with the question of funding? How does he expect an underfunded organisation to deal — as he indicated it intends to deal — with crucial issues such as the fight against racism, the protection of national minorities and interracial stereotyping, which is quite common in Ireland? Does the Taoiseach agree that an underfunded organisation cannot deal properly with these problems? Does he agree there is a need for an active organisation which is capable of intervening to deal with breaches of its conventions rather than a passive organisation which takes decisions at a snail's pace in respect of cases referred to it by the minority of citizens who can afford to refer them?
The organisation is not underfunded to that degree. Several thousand staff in more than 44 countries are actively involved in the development of human rights policies and are engaged in a tremendous amount of work and activity. It is unfair to state that a gathering of more than 40 heads of state from countries throughout Europe to discuss business was a waste of time. I am sure none of those involved believed it was a waste of time.
Of course they did not believe it was a waste of time.
Deputy Bruton, in various capacities, served as an active and committed member of the Council of Europe and I know he would never consider his involvement a "waste of time". The organisation must face certain pressures with which it is attempting to deal and it has taken on a further remit. In fairness to those involved in the organisation, they are conscious of the role it plays in respect of human rights. Deputy Bruton said it is moving at a snail's pace but it dealt with the Belarus issue promptly when it suspended that country from activities. It also threatened to take prompt action against some other countries in the past year. This is despite its difficulties in terms of funding since 1949. It would be entirely wrong to give the impression the organisation is not trying to deal with human rights in a meaningful way.
I did not create that impression. I said the organisation did not have sufficient funding to do its job. I did not say it was not trying to do it.
I accept the organisation has funding difficulties. It considers the restructuring of the court a major issue. It has created a new system and Ireland will have a member. Deputies will have a role in electing this country's representative in January. In addition, the organisation has put forward a mechanism for funding which I hope is helpful.
The Taoiseach spoke in Strasbourg about the importance of human rights. There is an increasing number of disturbing reports of racist incidents in Ireland. Does the Taoiseach think the Government is doing enough to protect the human rights of refugees and asylum seekers here? What does the Government intend doing to ensure that such people are protected and receive basic essential services?
I recently raised the issue of the legislation and the implementation of various sections of the Act. The number of people coming to Ireland recently has created great pressure. However, Ireland should feel proud of the way it is handling the situation vis-a-vis many other countries. Housing and welfare support are arranged quickly for refugees and asylum seekers. This does not happen in many other EU member states. Nevertheless, it is unacceptable that people must queue in the rain for appointments at impossible times.
Legislation is available and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform recently set out how he intends to deal with this matter. However, a court case must be resolved before the sections can be implemented. I am conscious this issue must be dealt with humanely but it is not comparable to the cases of human rights breaches outlined in Strasbourg. However, Ireland has an obligation to refugees and asylum seekers here which must be honoured.
I attended a conference on racism last Saturday. The Taoiseach should not be complacent about the experience of some people here. Will he assure the House people will not have to queue in the rain again for appointments with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform?
I raised that matter with the Department. In common with the Deputy, I am aware from constituents that slogans have appeared on walls and documents have been issued in several communities, especially in Dublin. Although the number of incidents is small, it is a worrying trend and I have raised these issues with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
(Dublin West): Will the Taoiseach's Office make representations to the Registrar of the High Court to ensure the court case is expedited and there is no further barrier to the implementation of the legislation?
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is most anxious that this matter is addressed. He has raised it on a number of occasions.
(Dublin West): Has he raised it with the Registrar of the High Court?
He has tried to have the case dealt with, but he has no influence in terms of when that will happen. The Minister has expressed his concern that the matter be dealt with as soon as possible to enable him to implement the sections which cannot be enforced at present.