5 Márta 2014, 17:47
Cross border supports for Special Olympics Ireland to be also considered
5 March 2014
Representatives from Amnesty International (AI) are before the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement tomorrow morning to discuss how to follow through on the recent Haass talks on dealing with the past.
They will present the findings of AI’s research report Northern Ireland: Time to deal with the past, which analysed the degree to which the current supports are delivering for victims.
Committee Chairman Joe McHugh TD says: “Through our formal meetings in Dublin, and through frequent outreach visits in Northern Ireland and the border region, our Committee is acutely aware of the residual impact of violence from the Troubles. We remain hopeful that efforts initiated under Dr Richard Haass to forge political consensus on parades, flags and dealing with the past continues. Tomorrow’s meeting, therefore, is a timely opportunity to engage with Amnesty International on their detailed research on how the interests of victims can be best accommodated in the on-going dialogue.”
Separately, the Committee will hear from Representatives of Special Olympics Ireland and Special Olympics Ulster. This session will consider how the health and wellbeing of those with intellectual disabilities can be enhanced through cross border support for Special Olympics Ireland.
Deputy McHugh continues: “The 2003 Special Olympics was hugely successful, with a feel-good factor enduring in communities across Ireland long after the event. Special Olympics Ireland of course has built on these achievements, continuing to offer an all-year round programme of sport and training activities to over 10,000 athletes throughout the island of Ireland on a weekly basis. There is a significant cross border dimension to the work of Special Olympics Ireland and tomorrow, our Committee will have an opportunity to hear how best this work can be supported.”
The meeting takes place tomorrow Wednesday 6 March at 10:15 am in Committee Room 4, LH 2000 and can be viewed online here.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Members of the Committee:
Deputies: Seán Conlan, Seán Crowe, Clare Daly, Regina Doherty, Frank Feighan, Martin Ferris, Peter M Fitzpatrick, Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Michael P Kitt, Joe McHugh (Chair), Joe O’Reilly (Vice-Chair), Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Brendan Smith, Joanna Tuffy and Jack Wall
Senators: Maurice Cummins (Leader of the House), Jim D’Arcy, Mary Moran and Mary White