Seanad debates
Wednesday, 18 June 2003
European Convention on Human Rights Bill 2001: Second Stage.
I regard this legislation as a rather grudging move in the right direction. Quite a number of anomalies and difficulties have already been identified in it. The apparent exclusion of teaching institutions, particularly those controlled by the Church, under the definition of "organ of the State" is regrettable. Senator Mansergh referred to the fact that it had proved impossible, even under our admittedly good Constitution, to protect the rights of people who were in these State institutions. Having acknowledged that, we are enacting a Bill which will make matters even more difficult and under which these people will not have any rights because the bodies which offended against them in the first instance will, apparently, be excluded from its provisions.
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