Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I reject the Senator's assertions of an "unpicking" of the Good Friday Agreement. There are no adverse implications for the Agreement. Nor do I accept the Senator's points about the powers of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, NIHRC, versus those of the IHRC. I invite him to cite an example of where the NIHRC is stronger.

I put it to the Senator that the Bill's proposals on the protection of human rights are strong. The Government would not introduce a Bill that had adverse implications for the Agreement. My predecessor consulted the then Northern Ireland Secretary of State when this proposal was announced and shared its details. There was discussion of the matter.

For these reasons, I will not accept the amendment.