Oireachtas Committee hears calls for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland

The Human Rights Consortium, since its establishment in 2000, has been actively campaigning for a strong and inclusive Bill of Rights. Its membership comprises almost 200 non-governmental organisations, trade unions and community groups across Northern Ireland.  

Committee Chair Joanna Tuffy says: “Provision for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland was originally included in the Good Friday Agreement, and our Committee today heard persuasive addresses on the imperative for the establishment of such a human rights framework.

“We were reminded of an inspiring address to our Committee last month, in which Senator George Mitchell said that full implementation of an agreement is often more difficult and more important that reaching an agreement in the first instance. The Committee takes on board the Consortium representatives’ frustrations that, 14 years on, this part of the agreement remains undelivered.”

“The plan to incorporate socio-economic rights into the Bill is seen as particularly challenging. Committee Members were keen to chart a course forward in which outstanding matters can be resolved. It was noted that contentious issues, such as devolving justice and policing powers, have been resolved satisfactorily in recent years where there is political will on all sides to reach agreement.”  

Following the discussions, the Committee met with representatives from Safefood, the promotional body responsible for food safety and healthy eating on the island of Ireland.

Deputy Tuffy continues: “Our Committee has a keen interest in the work programmes and progress made by the six North-South bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement. One of those bodies, Safefood, works in four key areas of education, research, nutrition and consumer communications.

“Today was a very valuable engagement with Safefood representatives, who outlined their work on healthy eating, combatting obesity and ensuring proper hygiene practice when handling food. Our Committee heard that Safefood’s campaigns have considerably raised awareness of these important issues for consumers across the island.”

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Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie

Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie

Members of the Committee:
Deputies Seán Conlan,  Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Regina Doherty, Alan Farrell, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Dominic Hannigan,  Michael P. Kitt, Joe McHugh, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Joe O’Reilly, Brendan Smith and Joanna Tuffy.
Senators Jim D’Arcy, Maurice Cummins, Martin McAleese, Mary Moran, Mary White.
Chair: Joanna Tuffy, TD Vice-Chair: Joe O'Reilly, TD