Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Arising from the reference the Taoiseach made earlier to the Human Rights Commission and the Good Friday Agreement, will he confirm that the position of the Human Rights Commission is in line with the Good Friday Agreement and our obligations under that Agreement to establish an independent human rights commission? In the context of the proposed review to which the Taoiseach referred, I put to him the importance of ensuring that our obligation, as voted upon by the people, is maintained in its original form. A merging, as proposed, of the Human Rights Commission with other bodies could in effect lead to what the eminent and respected parliamentarian from across the water, Dr. Kevin McNamara of the Labour Party, referred to as an undermining of the Good Friday Agreement, were such a proposal to be undertaken. Having regard to the status of the Human Rights Commission, will the Taoiseach give consideration to that commission being answerable, not to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform but to the Houses of the Oireachtas?

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