John Bruton
Question:1 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting in Dublin with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs. Mary Robinson. [1059/99]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:2 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with Mrs. Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. [2580/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
I met the Human Rights Commissioner, Mary Robinson, briefly at an official function. It was on the occasion of the unveiling of a portrait of herself and her husband Nick.
We exchanged pleasantries and did not discuss any matters of policy.
I am sure the Taoiseach's capacity to exchange pleasantries covers a wide range of subjects. Can he give any indication as to whether the draft heads of a Bill to establish a human rights commission will include the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights?
That was not part of the pleasantries. Given that it was almost Christmas I certainly did not want to burden the former President and United Nations High Commissioner, but I can assure the Deputy we are working diligently on that matter.
I accept there were pleasantries that surrounded the exchange. Does the Taoi seach or the UN High Commissioner have any views to offer on the human rights of witnesses in court cases to be free from intimidation, bearing in mind the revelations coming from the courts as we speak, that the State has changed—
The Deputy has broadened the scope of the question.
Yes, within the interpretation of the rules so that the Taoiseach can respond to what is on the airwaves.
It is not appropriate on this question.
With all due respects, the Taoiseach may wish to respond to the concerns expressed, as we speak, on the airwaves about a change in the State's position with regard to the murder of Jerry McCabe and about the right of witnesses not to be intimidated.
Questions Nos. 1 and 2 are about a recent meeting.
If the Taoiseach had an opportunity to speak about more than pleasantries with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, does he think she would share with me and him a concern that there should not be intimidation of witnesses in the State?
The question is still not relevant. The Deputy should seek another way of raising the matter. It is not in order on these questions.
Why was there not a substantive meeting in view of the fact that this was an important visit by an Irish person holding an important office? Did it not occur to the Taoiseach or the United Nations High Commissioner that it might be useful to have a formal meeting to discuss Ireland's view of human rights worldwide, the support it can give to Mary Robinson in her role and also the High Commissioner's views on any issues about human rights in this jurisdiction? Was there not a sufficient agenda to justify discussions that would be undoubtedly pleasant but would go beyond pleasantries?
I had such a meeting some time before that with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. This occasion was the unveiling of a portrait in the National Gallery of our former President which will be hung in the gallery. Given that 500 to 600 people were in attendance it was not an appropriate time to have a meeting, nor was it an appropriate day as it was just before Christmas Eve.