asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 548 on the programme of action relating to Human Rights after the International Human Rights Year, 1968 which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 30th January, 1969; and whether they will take action in particular on Chapter III relating to measures to be taken at national level.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Council of Europe Recommendations.
11.
Subject principally to the reservation in regard to Chapter III (a) that in present circumstances the appointment of an ombudsman is not considered necessary in this country, the Government are in general sympathy with Recommendation 548, the details of which are being studied by the Departments concerned.
12.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 549 and Resolution No. 401 on statutory limitations as applicable to crimes against humanity, which were adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 30th January, 1969; whether he will instruct his Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to vote in favour of the proposals contained in the recommendation; and whether the Government will comply, at national level, with the proposals contained in paragraph 8 (a) of the recommendation and paragraph 8 of the Resolution.
As the Deputy is aware, the Recommendation suggests that the Committee of Ministers should invite member Governments to arrange that prosecution for crimes against humanity shall not be prevented by the application of statutory limitations, and should instruct a Committee of Experts to draw up a European Convention on this subject. As there is no such statutory limitation in Ireland in respect of prosecution for criminal offences of this kind, no action is necessary in our case in respect of the first proposal.
So far as the second proposal is concerned, I do not believe any useful purpose would be served by drawing up a European Convention on this subject. Those States in which there is statutory limitation can deal with the matter by domestic legislation. The Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers has been instructed accordingly.
13.
asked the Minister for External Affairs what is the attitude of the Government with regard to Recommendation No. 552 on the drawing up of uniform regulations on oil and gas pipelines, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 31st January, 1969; whether he will instruct his Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to vote in favour of the proposals contained in this recommendation; and whether the Government will comply at national level with the requests put forward in paragraph 9 (d).
The subject of Recommendation 552 is not of immediate interest to this country because there are at present no pipelines operating here of the type covered by the Recommendation or no proposals for the construction of pipelines in which this country would have an interest. It is not, therefore, considered necessary to take the action at the national level put forward in paragraph 9 of the Recommendation.