Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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86. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has made representations with the Italian Government following its announcement to instigate a register for Roma persons in Italy; his view on whether this is a breach of human rights of Roma persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27715/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Last week the Italian Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement setting out the position of the Italian Government following remarks made by the Italian Interior Minister that he would create a register of Roma people living in Italy.

The Prime Minister’s Office statement said that the Italian Government’s position was that it would not be compiling such a register. It noted that compiling a record on an ethnic basis would be unconstitutional. It went on to claim that the Government’s goal was to address all “illegal and degrading situations” so as to protect the safety of all citizens.

Ireland is resolutely committed to the principle of non-discrimination as set out in the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination, signed by Ireland in 1968. I therefore welcome the clarification provided in this case.