Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 196: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if consideration has been given to the suggestion that the Irish Human Rights Commission should report directly to Dáil Éireann rather than to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform as applies currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7142/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This matter received detailed consideration, first, during the policy formulation stage of the proposals leading to the Human Rights Commission Act 2000; second, at my meeting with the commission in April, 2004; and third, in the context of my responses, as approved by the Government on 6 July 2004, to the various recommendations put forward by the commission in its report on effectiveness prepared in accordance with the provisions of section 24 of that Act. Those recommendations are reproduced in appendix 9 of the commission's annual report for 2003, which has been published and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 20 October 2004. The formal responses on this issue, as well as those relating to the other points raised by the commission, were also laid before both Houses on the same day.

The commission's recommendation is that consideration should be given by the Government to linking the commission more closely to the Oireachtas in accountability for the exercise of its functions. The independence given to the commission under the legislation is underpinned by its wide mandate, remit and powers. It is not easy to see how aligning it with, say, a committee of the Oireachtas, would increase that independence or effectiveness. However, I indicated to the commission at the meeting I have referred to, that it was free to explore the issue further with a view to developing concrete proposals for my consideration. The commission has been examining the matter and I await its definitive suggestions.