David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Thank you Co-Chairman. The Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality is very happy to join our colleagues on the Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions for this important meeting. I believe this is the first time that committees have come together in this format in this Dáil so it is a first to have a joint meeting of two committees. Perhaps we should do it more often where issues overlap. I understand that members of the Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality look forward to hearing and engaging with a variety of experts on this topic in a constructive and open-minded manner. I welcome the witnesses here this morning and thank them for their time in helping us in our considerations.

This is an opportunity to consider the extent to which Ireland is complying with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. We do not have a parliamentary committee on human rights as exists in other countries and this might be considered in the next Dáil. The Co-Chairman here is also a member of the Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality and we have established a sub-committee on human rights but have had to confine our work to justice and equality matters. We have a great interest in these issues because of that. I must, at some stage, go to the Dáil for parliamentary questions, so please excuse me when I leave. It is not for any other reason. Some work there is clashing with work here. I will hand back to the Chairman for the day and I look forward to getting involved in this.