Katherine Zappone (Independent) | Oireachtas source

My final question relates to something the Chairman stated earlier in respect of the committee's consideration of the possibility of including human rights within its remit, adding reference to the latter in its name and taking a specific role in this area. The Chairman has been extremely supportive and he and I met a number of commissioners designate during the earliest stages of the current process to explore the possibilities in this regard. In that context, I wish to refer to a couple of the functions the committee would be seeking to have conferred upon it if it were to be given a human rights mandate. We have put forward a proposal on this matter and, as the Chairman indicated, it is currently before the Houses. I would welcome it if Ms Logan were to comment on any of the specific aspects of that proposal in terms of the functions involved, which include to review and scrutinise legislation for any human rights issues; to report back to the Dáil in time for its report in order to influence the process; to, perhaps, advise the Dail and other committees in respect of human rights; to receive petitions from third parties; and to conduct hearings into human rights matters. What we are seeking is to have a human rights mandate added to this committee's remit rather than the establishment of a new human rights committee. Perhaps Ms Logan might comment on this issue.

Ms Logan has indicated her welcome of that. Does she have any more comments to make on it?