Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

United Nations Security Council Resolution, UNSCR 1325, on women, peace and security, was adopted in October 2000 and emphasises the distinct position of women in conflicts and in peace building. In the lead up to the 10th anniversary of this UN resolution in 2010, many countries, including Ireland, undertook to develop a national action plan on the implementation of UNSCR 1325. The Department of Foreign Affairs has the lead role in the development of Ireland's national action plan on implementation of UNSCR 1325.

In developing the national action plan, a wide-ranging consultation process took place involving the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice and Equality, the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána and representatives of civil society and academia. Participation in this forum afforded representatives from the Department and the Defence Forces an opportunity to discuss with officials from other Departments and representatives from civil society and academia, issues pertaining to the development of the national action plan, in particular in so far as they related to the Defence Forces.

The discussions focused primarily on facilitation and completion of a comprehensive audit of Government activity in the areas covered by UNSCR 1325, the identification of international best practice in this area and implementation of an effective post implementation monitoring and evaluation framework. The final phase of consultation ended on 18 February 2011 with the production of a draft national action plan. Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs are currently collating observations received from other Departments on the draft national action plan. When this process is completed and all parties concerned are in agreement, the intention is to submit the final version of the national action plan to implement UNSCR 1325 to Government for approval.

As stated by my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, a monitoring group will be established to oversee progress on the implementation of Ireland's national action plan. The chair of the group will be independent. Once the Oireachtas committees have been established, there will be an opportunity for Members to participate in evaluation of the plan. I expect that evaluation will fall to be dealt with by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Defence, which is to be established shortly.

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