The Irish Human Rights Commission will launch its 2004 Annual Report on Wednesday, 5th October, 2005, in its premises on Jervis Street, Dublin. The report sets out the Commission’s activities during the year, describing its work in the areas of casework, legislation and policy review, awareness raising and research. The report also highlights the need for additional staff and resources to allow the Commission to exercise the full range of its statutory functions.
The President of the Commission, Dr. Maurice Manning, in his Foreword to the Report outlined the Commission’s concerns regarding its ability to effectively examine legislative proposals due to the late introduction of amendments, often of a substantive nature, which leaves little time or opportunity for the Commission to give its considered comments.
He also notes a particular problem with legislation emerging from the EU. By the time it is referred to the Commission, the principles and much of the detail has been settled and there is little if any scope for change.
"I have to say also that the Commission is very critical of current parliamentary procedures when it comes to the scrutinising of legislation. Legislation, often with serious human rights implications, is far too often guillotined through the Oireachtas without any detailed committee stage debate while EU legislation, again often with serious human rights implications is frequently a ‘done deal’ before it arrives in the Oireachtas. There is a serious problem here for national parliaments and it is an issue which needs to be addressed. There is no doubt that as far as human rights legislation is concerned there is a ‘democratic deficit’" stated Dr. Manning.
The Chief Executive of the IHRC, Dr. Alpha Connelly, highlights the serious concerns the Commission holds about its ability to fully exercise its statutory powers given its limited staff and resources. "If the Commission is to exercise and develop the full range of its functions, additional staff are required. In short, more hands are needed on deck".
In looking forward, Dr. Manning identifies the question of policing and human rights as an area which will receive special attention. "The imminent establishment of a police Ombudsman – long advocated by the Human Rights Commission – is a major advance but of itself will not be sufficient to deal with the current crisis of confidence unless accompanied by a human rights revolution at all levels within the Garda force. Human Rights is at the heart of policing and it is essential that the Garda culture be recast around a human rights agenda. These changes will not be easy and undoubtedly many of them will be resisted, but without them, regaining public confidence will not be possible. The Human Rights Commission for its part, while maintaining its independence and its statutory obligation to monitor compliance, will do all in its power to assist and help" concluded Dr. Manning.
A spokesperson from the IHRC is available for comment.
The full text of the addresses to be given by the President, Dr. Maurice Manning, and by the Chief Executive, Dr. Alpha Connelly, can be found by following the below links
Address by President.doc (182 KB)
Address by Chief Executive.doc (177 KB)
Copies of the IHRC’s Annual Report 2004 in Irish and English is available by following the below links
Annual Report 2004.pdf (3202 KB)
Tuairisc_Bhliantuil 2004.pdf (3219 KB)
For further information, please contact:
Mary Ruddy
Senior Human Rights Awareness Officer,
Irish Human Rights Commission.
Jervis House,
Jervis Street,
Dublin 1.
Tel. 01 8589 601
Mobile: 087 2400695
E-mail: info@ihrc.ie
Website : http://www.ihrc.ie