Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 November 2004
255 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether the Human Rights Commission should have the ability to vet, or in other words human rights-proof, all Government legislation before formal publication. [27603/04]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of section 8(b) of the Human Rights Commission Acts 2000 and 2001 it is already a function of the Human Rights Commission, if requested by a Minister of the Government, to examine any legislative proposal which might have implications for human rights and report its views on any such implications. I have referred several such proposals to the commission under this innovative provision and I have also brought the terms of the provision formally to the attention of all my ministerial colleagues in Government.
