Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 January 2016
388. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures he has taken, or plans to take, in the context of the international agreement between the Irish and British Governments to ensure that the European Convention on Human Rights remains in force in the North should the British Government withdraw from the British convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3100/16]
View answerThe commitment of Ireland to the promotion and protection of human rights is an underlying principle of Ireland’s foreign policy and is a priority for the Government. Ireland is a firm supporter of the European Court of Human Rights and the European Convention of Human Rights system and liaises regularly with the UK in relation to the Council on Europe Committee of Ministers’ supervision of states’ implementation of Court judgments. As I outlined in my speech to the Seanad last May, the protection of human rights in Northern Ireland law, predicated on the European Convention on Human Rights, is one of the key principles underpinning the Good Friday Agreement. As a guarantor of the Agreement, the Government takes very seriously its responsibility to safeguard its institutions and principles. The fundamental role of human rights in guaranteeing peace and stability in Northern Ireland cannot be taken for granted and must be fully respected. The Good Friday Agreement is clear that there is an obligation to incorporate the European Convention on Human Rights into Northern Ireland law and this is an ongoing obligation. There is not at this time, any legislation before the British Parliament at Westminster to repeal the 1998 UK Human Rights Act. However, the British Government has announced its intention to bring forward proposals for a Bill of Rights to replace the Human Rights Act. These proposals have not yet been published. In the absence of any detailed proposal it is difficult to speculate on potential consequences. Obviously were any proposal to be made it would have to be carefully analysed.
The Government continues to monitor the situation closely. I have raised this issue on several occasions in bilateral meetings with both Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, and Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, while my colleagues Minister Fitzgerald and Minister of State Murphy have raised the issue with the UK Minister of State for Europe David Lidington. Such contacts have provided an opportunity to convey to the UK our concerns that any proposals as regards the Human Rights Act must be consistent with the Good Friday Agreement. The UK response has been to acknowledge that any such moves must be done in a manner consistent with the Good Friday Agreement.
Placing human rights at the heart of the peace process in Northern Ireland has helped to ensure the participation and trust of all communities. The Government will continue to work closely with the UK Government and with the power-sharing Executive in Belfast to ensure that the protection of human rights remains at the heart of civic life, politics and ongoing societal change in Northern Ireland.
