2 May 2014, 11:03
This Tuesday, 2 May 2014, the Seanad Public Consultation Committee will engage with a range of experts on Ireland’s performance in relation to civil and political rights under international law.
Later this year, the Government will present a key report on civil and political rights in Ireland to the United Nations Human Rights Committee. The Seanad Select Committee is inquiring into the priorities and challenges facing Ireland in complying with these obligations.
The hearing, which follows a call for submissions earlier in the year, will commence at 11 am in the Seanad Chamber.
The programme is as follows:
11.00am: Dr. Liam Thornton
11.10am: Irish Human Rights Commission
11.20am: Irish Penal Reform Trust
11.30am – 12 noon: Questions from Members
12 noon: Irish Centre for Human Rights
12.10pm: Transgender Equality Network Ireland
12.20 pm: Irish Traveller Movement
12.30pm – 1.00pm: Questions from Members
2.00pm: Amnesty International Ireland
2.10pm: Children’s Rights Alliance/Educate Together
2.20pm: Rehab Group
2.30pm – 3.00pm: Questions from Members
3.00pm: Immigrant Council of Ireland
3.10pm: Irish Council for Civil Liberties
3.20pm – 3.40pm: Questions from Members
Committee Chairman Senator Denis O’Donovan says: “The ICCPR, which commits signatories to respect the civil and political rights of individuals, is a cornerstone of international law and forms part of the International Bill on Human Rights. The Covenant states that the right to self-determination is universal and calls upon States to promote the realisation of that right through respecting the right to life, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, electoral rights and rights to due process and a fair trial.
“With the Irish Government due to present a formal progress report later this year, it is timely that our cross-party Committee hears the views of interested individuals and organisations on how well Ireland is meeting these obligations. Following a successful call for submissions, we look forward to hearing from a diverse range of expert voices on this important issue on Tuesday 6 May.”
The hearings will start at 11am in the Seanad Chamber Leinster House on Tuesday 6 May.
Committee proceedings can be followed live here: http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/watchlisten/live-flashplayer/seanadeireann/
The Committee was founded in September 2011 to strengthen dialogue between Seanad Éireann and the public on a wide range of subjects in the area of public policy.
Media enquiries to:
Paul Hand
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: 087 6949926
E: paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Members of the Committee
Senators Ivana Bacik, Paul Bradford, Paul Coghlan, Maurice Cummins, Mark Daly, Lorraine Higgins, Marie Louise O’Donnell, Denis O’Donovan (Chairperson), David Norris, Susan O’Keeffe and Mary White