Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 4

Written Answers. - British-Irish Agreement.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

321 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps, if any, he has taken to fulfil Ireland's obligations following the British-Irish Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20299/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

Work is proceeding in my Department on taking forward the commitments made by the Government in the British-Irish Agreement in relation to those elements of the Agreement for which my Department is responsible. These arise in a number of areas covered by the Agreement including, in particular, those sections dealing with rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity, decommissioning, security and prisoners.

Giving effect to those elements of the Agreement for which the Department is responsible is identified as an important objective in the Department's recently published Strategy Statement covering the period between now and 2000. This is in keeping with the Department's key high level goal of contributing to the establishment of a lasting peace on the island of Ireland.

The necessary administrative arrangements, including making the necessary budgetary and personnel provision, have been and continue to be made to enable the Department to fulfil these obligations. In addition, a mechanism has been established to co-ordinate the work involved and to ensure that the targets which I have set, consistent with the terms of the Agreement, for this purpose are met. This work is further assisted by my Department's participation in the InterDepartmental Steering Group of Officials established by the Government to co-ordinate the implementation of the Agreement.

Significant progress has already been made in giving effect to commitments made in the Agreement. Measures that have been taken to this end include: the appointment of former Tánaiste John Wilson to conduct a review of services and arrangements in place, in this jurisdiction, to meet the needs of those who have suffered as a result of violent action associated with the conflict in Northern Ireland; the enactment of the Employment Equality Act, 1998, in June. Arrangements are in train to begin to bring the Act into operation at an early date; the making of the Decommissioning Act, 1997 (Decommissioning) Regulations, 1998 (S. I. No. 216 of 1998) and the related Decommissioning Act, 1997 (Sections 5 and 6) (Commencement) Order, 1998 (S. I. No. 215 of 1998) on 29 June, 1998; the enactment of the Criminal Justice (Release of Prisoners) Act, 1998, and the establishment of the Release of Prisoners Commission in accordance with the provisions of the Act in July 1998. To date, seven prisoners have been granted early release under the Act. In addition, the Probation and Welfare Service are examining implementation of the commitment in the Agreement to measures to facilitate the reintegration of prisoners into the community; and, as already indicated in the Government's legislation programme announced by the Chief Whip on 28 September for the current Dáil session, steps to bring forward, in the context of the Agreement, a Bill to amend the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts.

Work is also moving forward on the other aspects of the Agreement which fall within my Department's area of responsibility: steps, comparable with those being taken in respect of Northern Ireland, which are to be taken by the Government in strengthening and underpinning human rights are being taken forward by a new Human Rights Division in my Department, in particular, matters associated with the establishment of a Human Rights Commission in this jurisdiction and examination of the question of incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights. Work on both these issues is proceeding a pace, and in this connection I wish to draw the Deputy's attention to my replies to oral questions earlier today on these issues; and a revised Equal Status Bill is now being developed, following the taking of extensive legal advice, to meet the requirements set out by the Supreme Court in its judgment of 19 June 1997 finding the Equal Status Bill, 1997, unconstitutional. The revised Bill is expected to be published in early 1999.