Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:19 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the number of officials from his Department represented on the Standing Interdepartmental Committee on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9000/99]
Written Answers. - Committee on Human Rights.
My Department has one representative on the Standing Interdepartmental Committee on Human Rights. The committee, on which all Government Departments are represented, considers all aspects of Ireland's international human rights obligations. The inaugural meeting was held on 18 February 1997 and the committee has met on five occasions since then, most recently on 16 March last.
The committee is particularly concerned with the timely preparation of comprehensive national reports under the various international instruments already ratified. It also seeks to expedite the legislation necessary for the ratification of additional instruments. The committee is currently preparing for the examination of Ireland's first report under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights before the relevant UN Committee in Geneva in May.
The committee also plays an important role as a forum for co-ordination and co-operation between Departments on human rights issues generally.