David Norris (Independent)

Yesterday, we discussed the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, but it included a sneaky little provision, which was provided to the House in an unreadable manner, smuggling in the destruction of the Combat Poverty Agency. How is that for human rights? The Human Rights Commission has effectively been neutered in defiance of the Good Friday Agreement. In addition, the Government has refused to include human rights under the Charities Bill. I have a briefing from Amnesty International, FLAC, ICCL and Frontline, which states "It is clear from the Seanad debate on 4th December that there are no legal constraints raised by the Attorney General on the inclusion of the advancement of human rights." Why are they not doing so? It is perfectly clear that there is an anti-human rights agenda in this Government.

The document that came from Amnesty International to celebrate International Human Rights Day states that under the 1945 charter, Ireland is obliged to incorporate the rights set out in the treaty to be ratified. However, Ireland has failed in particular to incorporate rights that impact on people living in poverty.