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JOINT COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sub-Committee on Human Rights) debate -
Thursday, 13 Jan 2011

Business of Sub-Committee

Apologies have been received from Deputy Shatter and Senator Daly. For the record I shall omit the next item. The minutes of the last meeting have been circulated. Are there any matters arising? Are they agreed? Agreed.

We have some correspondence. A letter dated 13 July was issued by me, as Chairman, to Deputy Brian Lenihan, the Minister for Finance, regarding ethical investments by the National Pensions Reserve Fund and has been circulated for the benefit of members. We have also received a letter dated 5 July addressed to me from Ms Siobhán O'Donoghue, director of Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, requesting a meeting with this sub-committee to discuss protecting the rights of domestic workers employed in embassies and diplomatic households in Ireland. I propose that we agree to such a meeting in the near future and I ask the clerk to contact the organisation to arrange it. I also received a letter dated 29 July from Deputy Fleming in connection with a human rights case concerning Roger Collins, an inmate on death row in the state of Georgia, USA. If the committee agrees, I suggest we note the letter and members may contact the clerk to the committee with any suggestions they may have on how best to address the matter. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The committee has received an e-mail dated 10 August 2010 from a parliamentarian in Nepal inquiring if the sub-committee could meet his group who are coming on a study visit to Ireland in order to exchange ideas and to share experiences and information on human rights issues. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The committee has received an e-mail dated 22 December 2010 from Mr. Trevor Truman of the Oromo support group and enclosing a report on human rights abuse in Ethiopia. The matter and related issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I remind members and those in the Gallery to ensure that all mobile phones, BlackBerry and other devices are completely switched off for the duration of the meeting as even when in silent mode they interfere with the recording of proceedings. I ask all present to respect this instruction.

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