Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1451. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his department has complied with section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 which requires his Department to set out, in a manner that is accessible to the public in its strategic plan, an assessment of the human rights and equality issues it views to be relevant to the functions and purpose of his Department; and the policies, plans and actions in place or proposed to be put in place to address those issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1763/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department's Statement of Strategy for 2016- 2019 was presented to the Oireachtas last week and will be published shortly. It outlines my Department's core values which include a deep-rooted public service ethos of independence, integrity and impartiality and a strong commitment to diversity, gender equality and the fair and equal treatment of all.

As a Department which provides schemes and services to a broad range of customers across the country, I and my officials are mindful of our obligations as regards human rights and equality in the delivery of such schemes and services. We are also mindful of human rights and equality obligations when formulating and regulating policies relating to the functions of my Department.

Notwithstanding this awareness and having regard to the provisions of the Irish human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, my Department's Management Board decided to set a special Working Group, headed up at Principal Officer level, to initiate work on an initial assessment of human rights and equality impacts or dimensions relevant to the functions of my Department, including the services we provide, regulate and/or oversee.

In this context my Department is currently liaising closely with the Irish Human Rights Commission on preparation for this assessment. Once the assessment is completed it is intended to develop an Action Plan to address any issues identified. In accordance with our public sector duty and as required under legislation, my Department will be reporting on progress of this work in its 2016 Annual Report.