Vol. 528 No. 1
366 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on certain contentions (details supplied) to the effect that human rights legislation and the Human Rights Commission could, inter alia, facilitate the challenging of the constitutional provisions on abortion. [29512/00]
In line with a commitment in the Good Friday Agreement and in accordance with a Government decision of 21 September 2000, a Bill providing for the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights is being drafted to provide that, subject to the Constitution, and in so far as it is possible to do so, legislation should be construed and given effect to in a way which is compatible with the convention. It is clear, therefore, that incorporation of the convention will not impinge on the Constitution.
As regards the Human Rights Commission, I might point out to the Deputy that, by virtue of the Human Rights Commission Act, 2000, its role includes the protection of human rights by reference to the Constitution.
