Vol. 552 No. 1
536 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of annual funding for the Human Rights Commission; and when the European Convention on Human Rights will be enacted into Irish law. [11199/02]
542 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the resources which have been allocated and the staffing in place for the operation of the Human Rights Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11256/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 536 and 542 together.
The Revised Estimates published on 28 February 2002 provides that the grant payable to the Human Rights Commission under subhead B1 of Vote 19 for the Office of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform for this year is €1,292,000. The corresponding figure for last year was €1,270,000, of which €278,000 was expended by the commission. The grants to the commission and its expenditure to date reflect the fact that it is still in its initial stage of operation. In my reply to Question No. 404 of 26 March, I referred to the fact that the commission is on the point of appointing its chief executive. Once the process is completed, arrangements regarding its staffing structure and its permanent staffing complement will be finalised. It will then be possible to determine its full operating and financial requirements in accordance with its statutory role and remit. The commission has two temporary staff to assist it during this start up phase. The European Convention on Human Rights Bill, 2001, which is awaiting Committee Stage in the Dáil, provides for the giving of further effect to the provisions of the convention in Irish law. The Bill proposes that its provisions will come into effect not later than six months after the date of its passing as the Minister may appoint by order.
