Trevor Sargent
Ceist:66 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has recently met the Human Rights Commission on the expectation of that group that it should vet Government legislation. [33474/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 15 December 2004
Ceisteanna (70)
Freagraí scríofa
Since my appointment as Minister for Social and Family Affairs, I have not met nor received a request to meet the Human Rights Commission. In July of this year, the Government considered a report by the Human Rights Commission which contained a number of recommendations for improving the effectiveness of that body.
One of the recommendations of the report was that Government Ministers should refer to the commission, for its views, any legislative proposals which may have significant implications for the protection of human rights, as provided for under section 8(b) of the Human Rights Commission Act 2000.
It is my view that the commission's function in this respect is an important one and I intend to seek the views of the commission on any legislative proposals which may have a human rights dimension.