Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on reports (details supplied) that the selection committee for the new Commission of the Human Rights and Equality Commission lack urgency and are engaged in a process of head hunting the Chief Commissioner, a process that would breach the requirements in the UN Paris Principles in relation to such an appointment; and the action he will take to resolve same. [9347/13]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on recent reports that the Equality Authority and the Irish Human Rights Commission have had significant staff and budget reductions since 2009 and are failing to operate effectively as a result; the exact staff reductions and budget cutbacks experienced by these bodies since 2009; the way he intends to ensure that the merged Human Rights and Equality Commission will operate more effectively, efficiently and cohesively as he committed to in September 2012 when this merger process began in view of the weakened state of both bodies currently. [9412/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 189 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, I am on record regarding my concerns in relation to the disproportionate cuts made to the Equality Authority and the Human Rights Commission in the past. I consider the fact that the provision for 2013 in the budget for the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission of €4.409m is a significant achievement given the current financial pressures on the public purse. This level of funding maintains the combined 2012 level of Exchequer grant-in-aid funding of both bodies and demonstrates the Government's strong commitment to strengthening our institutional framework for promotion and and protection of human rights and equality.

As part of the merger of both bodies, bringing together and integrating two separate staff streams, the new Commission will as a priority task undertake a review of staffing needs and prepare a business case for any essential additional staff. Again, I am on record as saying this will have funding implications, but will be considered as favourably as possible even in the currently extremely difficult climate. Pending my being able to make an announcement in relation to appointments to the new Commission, I do not consider that it would be helpful to comment on recent media speculation.

The following table outlines the position with regard to funding and staffing from 2009 to date.

TABLE