Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the implications for the Irish Human Rights Commission following the Budget 2009 proposals to reduce its funding by 24%; his future plans for the Commission; if he will comply with the request from the UN to strengthen the independence and the capacity of the IHRC by giving it adequate and sufficient resources to do its job; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40106/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The context in which financial provision has been made by the Government for the Irish Human Rights Commission for 2009 is as indicated in the Budget Announcement of 14 October 2008. Therefore, while I accept that a reduced budget will cause some difficulties, I also consider that there is sufficient funding provided in 2009 for the Human Rights Commission to enable them to adequately discharge their core activities.

I would reiterate that, as I indicated in my contribution to the budget debate, I had decided that the main priority in the Justice area in 2009 will be tackling crime. In that regard, decisions about funding reflect that priority with the result that in a small number of areas budgets have been reduced significantly. Moreover, in line with Government policies generally I have asked all State bodies to significantly reduce their spending on consultants, advertising and other non core items.