Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of high level groups operating within his Department; the purpose of each group; the year each group was set up; the number of times each group has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40337/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is involved in the operation of two high level groups – the Consultative Group on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, and the Joint Department of Foreign Affairs/NGO Standing Committee on Human Rights. My Department has chaired the Consultative Group on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. The Group was established to assist with the development of Ireland's National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325. It first met in February 2010 and has met on five subsequent occasions to date. Civil society representatives, academics, and representatives of other relevant government departments, including the Departments of Justice and Law Reform, and Defence are represented on the Group.

It has been agreed to extend the consultation process on UNSCR1325 until the end of 2010, and an independent Chair has recently been appointed to lead this process. My Department continues to be a member of the Group.

The Joint Department of Foreign Affairs/NGO Standing Committee on Human Rights is chaired by an official of my Department. Established in 1997, the purpose of the Committee is to provide a formal framework for a regular exchange of views between my Department and representatives of the NGO Community. It is comprised of representatives of human rights NGOs and experts, who serve in a voluntary capacity, as well as officers of my Department. The Standing Committee meets approximately four times per year, with provision for additional meetings in exceptional circumstances. A new Standing Committee was appointed earlier this year, with a term of office of two years, effective from 1 October 2010.