Justice Committee to hold hearings on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill

Chairman of the Committee, Deputy David Stanton said: “In June, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence published the Heads of a Bill to replace the Equality Authority and the Human Rights Commission with a new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.

The Minister invited the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality to examine the Heads of the Bill and undertake a further focussed consultation process with civil society and other interested parties on its content.

The Committee has invited written submissions from interested groups or individuals in relation to the Heads of the Bill and is inviting a selection of contributors to public hearings. Tomorrow we will have an opportunity to get the perspective of the Irish Human Rights Commission; Equality Rights Alliance; Irish Council for Civil Liberties; and Children’s Rights Alliance on the proposed legislation.”

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 2, Leinster House 2000 at 9.30am on Wednesday, 4th July.

At 2.30pm, the Committee will meet to discuss the Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences Against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012.

On Thursday, the Committee will resume its hearings into Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill when it meets with representatives from the Equality Authority.

Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o

For further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551

Committee Membership

Deputies:

Dara Calleary, Michael Creed, Alan Farrell, Anne Ferris (Vice-Chairman), john Paul Phelan, Seán Kenny, Finian McGrath, Jonathan O’Brien and David Stanton (Chairman)
 
Senators:

Ivana Bacik, Paul Bradford, Martin Conway, Rónán Mullen, Denis O’Donovan, Katherine Zappone.