As the Deputy is aware Mrs. Robinson announced on 18 March that she will leave the Office of the High Commissioner at the end of her current term. The Taoiseach issued a statement on behalf of the Government praising Mrs. Robinson's achievements as High Commissioner. Mrs. Robinson has expressed warm appreciation for this statement.
Ireland backed Mrs. Robinson when she sought the post of High Commissioner in 1997 and she would have been confident of receiving our renewed support had she decided to let her name go forward again.
Mrs. Robinson's term of office as High Commissioner has been marked with distinction. She pursued the promotion and protection of human rights with the utmost vigour. She saw those rights as universal and indivisible and did not flinch from drawing attention to and condemning violations wherever they occurred.
Mrs. Robinson was the driving force behind the World Conference Against Racism, held in Durban, South Africa last year. For the first time, on this issue of crucial importance to societies throughout the world, agreement was reached on an outcome document. This document, the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, will provide a solid basis for work on a global scale to combat the scourges of racism and xenophobia. It was not easy to achieve this outcome and the success of the conference was due in large part to Mrs. Robinson's tenacity and clear vision in looking beyond particular grievances to the wider picture. Mrs. Robinson has demonstrated strict independence in the execution of her responsibilities. The Government has respected that independence and regarded any decision on whether Mrs. Robinson would seek a further term of office as a matter between her and the Secretary General. The Government, therefore, had no discussions with Mrs. Robinson on this matter, neither did the Government seek to raise the issue with other countries.
Mrs. Robinson's tireless advocacy of human rights has enhanced the prestige of the office of the High Commissioner and, of course, has reflected well on her own country. I want to place on record today the Government's appreciation of her work. I also wish her well for the future. We may be sure that her voice will continue to be heard and will not be lost to the victims, the marginalised and the vulnerable, on whose behalf she has spoken so effectively.