Ms Emily Logan:

The UN Human Rights Council, in its recent resolution, indicated different methodologies in terms of relationships between national human rights institutions and parliaments. This committee has demonstrated its interest in human rights and equality. I have not discussed this with my commissioners so I am giving the Senator my own answer on this. It would be great to see the Irish Parliament extend the remit of this committee to include human rights and equality. One of the dangers of limiting it to a committee, a point which the Senator has addressed, is the question of interaction with other committees. In defining the role for one committee, we do not want to box it in a sense that other committees do not see human rights and equality as a cross-cutting theme underpinning any of their work. Certainly, the positive duty provided for in the new Act is encouraging all public bodies to consider human rights and equality compliance.

The UN committee mentioned, in its concluding observations, that it would be very useful for the Oireachtas to debate the issue. From the commission's point of view, it would be a welcome opportunity. We want the Irish Parliament to see the commission as a resource. I know that we are in a lucky situation. My two colleagues in Northern Ireland and Scotland only yesterday sent out press releases expressing concern about the repeal of the Human Rights Act in the UK and the possible undermining in Northern Ireland of the Belfast Agreement. We are in a happy position in Ireland that we have an open-minded Parliament whose Members want to engage with this broader human rights and equality agenda. Certainly, there is a greater public appetite for that engagement.