Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 6 May 2014

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill 2014: Committee Stage

3:10 pm

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy says, the amendment seeks to extend the commission's amicus curiaefunction to include the Circuit Court, District Court, Labour Court and the Equality Tribunal. This is unnecessary.The commission has the power to assist parties appearing before the Circuit or District Court, or the Labour Court, or the Equality Tribunal. The concept of amicus curiaerelates to the superior courts where issues of constitutional interpretation or importance may arise and it is not relevant to these other courts and tribunals. For that reason, the amendment is opposed.