Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I join the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, in complimenting Deputy Ó Fearghaíl on his appointment.

The conflict resolution unit within my Department is taking the lead role in the development of Ireland's national action plan on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The resolution calls for an increase in the participation of women in peacemaking and peace building processes; the protection of women and girls in armed conflict; and the incorporation of a gender perspective into peacekeeping and peace building processes.

Since February 2010, an extensive consultation process has taken place between representatives of Departments, the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána, civil society and academia. An independent chair and drafter were appointed to this process in late 2010 and the final phase of consultation ended on 18 February this year, with the submission of a draft national action plan , prepared by Dr. Nata Duvvury. We are very grateful for the work done by Dr. Duvvury, which will be the basis for the plan in its final form.

My officials are currently collating observations received from other Departments on the draft prepared by Dr. Duvvury and it is my intention to submit the final version of the national action plan for approval by Government in the near future.

Regarding the proposed system for monitoring and evaluation of the national action plan, my expectation is that a monitoring group will be formed to oversee progress on the implementation of Ireland's national action plan on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. This monitoring group would have a similar composition to the consultative group established to advise on the development of the national action plan and would also work with the appropriate Oireachtas committee to ensure involvement by parliamentarians. The chair of the group would be independent and come from outside the Government system.

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