Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission regarding the delay on the part of the British Government in publishing its consultation document on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland; if he has raised this matter or plans to raise it with the British Prime Minister in view of the fact that the commitment to introduce a Bill of Rights was included in both the Good Friday and the St. Andrew's agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36657/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government remains determinedly committed to ensuring the full and effective implementation of all aspects of the Good Friday and St. Andrew's Agreements. A specific Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland is a central and vital provision of the Good Friday Agreement. In this context, the Government has consistently looked for early progress on the issue.

As the Deputy is aware, the British Government is currently preparing a Consultation on the Bill of Rights. I am aware of the concerns expressed by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in relation to the publication of the Consultation. Officials from my Department are in regular contact with the Commission regarding progress on the Bill of Rights process and have also maintained regular contact with the relevant officials in the Northern Ireland Office. I have also raised the issue in my discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, most recently when we met on 19 October 2009. Based on those discussions I would expect to see some further progress shortly.