Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 9, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following:"8. Pursuant to the Good Friday Agreement, an international agreement of which this Government is a co-guarantor, the Irish Government will take steps to further strengthen the protection of human rights in its jurisdiction. The Government will bring forward measures to strengthen and underpin the constitutional protection of human rights. These proposals will draw on the European Convention on Human Rights and other international legal instruments in the field of human rights and the question of the incorporation of the ECHR will be further examined in this context. The measures brought forward would ensure at least an equivalent level of protection of human rights as will pertain in Northern Ireland. In addition, the Irish Government will--

(a) maintain and promote a Human Rights Commission with a mandate and remit equivalent to that within the North of Ireland, and
(b) continue to take further active steps to demonstrate its respect for the different traditions on the island of Ireland.".

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Is mór agam é go bhfuil deis againn an Bhille seo a phlé arís eile. We raised our concerns previously with the Minister about the amalgamation's impact on the Good Friday Agreement and all it has striven to achieve. As such, we have tabled this amendment. Paragraph (b) is particularly pertinent, given the delicate negotiations on legacy issues that are ongoing in the North, for example, flags, etc. We can never take for granted that the peace process will stay firm. While it is everyone's intention that the process be maintained and every effort be taken to ensure that all agreements are held to fully and both Governments play their role, we fear that this Bill dilutes the understandings on human rights under the Good Friday Agreement and the way the Irish Human Rights Commission, IHRC, does its work. We have tabled our amendment to reiterate the importance of these matters and we want the Minister to take it on board, as the Bill is a retrograde step in this context. No chances can be taken with the maintenance of peace and good relations between all traditions on the island of Ireland. I hope the Minister will look favourably on our amendment.