asked the Minister for External Affairs whether the method of nominating candidates for election by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe to the European Court of Human Rights has yet been decided, and if not, when it is expected that the decision will be made; whether the Government will consider the setting up of an expert committee of three persons to recommend the candidates; and whether the Government proposes to inform the Dáil of the selection and obtain its approval before the names are submitted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Court of Human Rights.
As the Deputy will be aware, Article 39 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms provides that the persons from whom the members of the European Court are to be elected by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe shall be nominated by the members of the Council of Europe, that is by the Governments of the countries belonging to that organisation.
The Government has not yet taken a formal decision on the procedure for nominating the three persons in respect of this country.