Written Answers. - UN Conference on Women.
Liz O'Donnell
Ceist:
74
Ms O'Donnell
asked the
Minister for Equality and Law Reform
the specific proposals, if any, that were presented by the Irish delegation to the UN Conference in Beijing in the negotiations towards agreeing a declaration and platform for action based on themes of equality, development and peace; the commitments, if any, entered into by the Irish Government; the number of people, including officials, in the delegation; the total cost to the State of sending the delegation and other persons whose expenses were borne by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13877/95]
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:
75
Ms F. Fitzgerald
asked the
Minister for Equality and Law Reform
the plans, if any, he has to ensure that the platform for action agreed at Beijing is made known throughout all Government Departments, non-Governmental organisations and the general public.
[13878/95]
In relation to the stance taken by the national delegation at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 110 on 20 September.
The commitments entered into by Ireland, as detailed in my speech to the Plenary session of the Conference on 6 September are as follows:
Aim to ensure that women constitute at least 40 per cent of the membership of State boards.
Strengthen and extend the scope of employment equality legislation and outlaw discrimination in non-employment areas on grounds of gender, marital and parental status and on other grounds.
Follow through on the process of consultation with women's organisations and bodies responsible for the health of women concerning a discussion document, published by the Minister for Health, which reviews the health status of Irish women and examines how the health services can better meet their needs and prepare a plan.
Implement a policy to develop a comprehensive family planning service within the public health system.
In the education system, provide for equal participation by females in all areas of the curriculum.
Provide that, at third level, each education institution will have to develop and publish a policy promotiong gender equality.
Increase Ireland's official ODA by 0.05 per cent points of GDP each year in order to achieve the UN target of 0.7 per cent of GDP.
Implement the 20/20 concept as included in the Copenhagen Programme.
Provide for appropriate involvement of Irish NGOs in the implementation of the Platform to be agreed at this Conference.
Continue to mainstream gender in Irish aid programmes.
Enact legislation to extend further protection for women and children in situations of domestic violence.
The total number of Ministers and officials on the delegations was 18. In addition, the Oireachtas was represented by four parliamentarians accompanied by two committee clerks and there were seven non-governmental representatives. The cost of the eight members of the delegation funded by my Department was approximately £34,500. In addition, grants totalling a maximum of £24,200 were given by my Department to NGOs to assist them to attend the Conference and/or the NGO Forum. Details of costs incurred in respect of other members of the delegation should be sought from the relevant Ministers.
I am very happy with the contribution made by the Irish delegation during the negotiations. In particular, I am pleased that the Irish delegation was able to make valuable contributions to achieving agreement on contentious issues, especially in the final days of the conference, when Ireland was represented on a high-level group dealing with the most difficult subjects.
In the coming months I will be implementing measures to follow-up on the Platform for Action agreed at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women. When the final version of the document becomes available from the UN it will be circulated to all Government Departments and will also be available to non-governmental organisations and the public generally.
