Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position of the Government with regard to the election of members to the UN Human Rights Council; if the Government has indicated support for any country being elected to this council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13008/06]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself that the system for the election of members to the new UN Human Rights Council will ensure that countries which have shown manifest disregard for human rights will be able to be removed from this body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13007/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 88 together.

While the resolution establishing the Human Rights Council did not include all that Ireland and the EU had hoped for, I believe this body will represent an improvement on the Commission on Human Rights. The resolution was supported by 170 states, with only four states opposed and three abstaining. It was also endorsed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and prominent international human rights NGOs.

With regard to the election of members of the council, the resolution establishing the body included a number of innovations. Whereas election to the former Commission on Human Rights was based on a simple majority of states present and voting in the General Assembly, states wishing to become members of the Human Rights Council will have to receive the support of an absolute majority of the General Assembly. In addition, states will be elected by secret ballot.

Prospective members of the council also commit themselves to upholding the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights, and will be the first to be scrutinised under the new universal periodic review mechanism which will examine the extent to which international human rights standards are respected on the domestic level.

A mechanism has also been established to allow for the expulsion of a member of the council if it is deemed by a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly to be responsible for gross and systematic violations of human rights.

In relation to Ireland's voting intentions, we have been approached by many countries seeking election to the Council. As the date for election is 9 May 2006, and states are still able to present their candidatures, a definitive decision has not been made as to which states Ireland will support. All candidates will be given due consideration but, clearly, Ireland will only support those countries that are firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights. In addition, Ireland and our European Union partners have undertaken not to vote for any state that is subject to Security Council sanctions for human rights related reasons.

I am confident these factors will make the situation more conducive to producing a council whose members are genuinely committed to the promotion and protection of human rights.