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Written question asked by Lord Laird (Non-affiliated) on Wednesday, 1 March 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 March 2017. It was answered by Lord Dunlop (Conservative) on Monday, 13 March 2017 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Human Rights: Republic of Ireland

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to obtain assurances from the government of Ireland that it has brought forward measures to ensure an equivalent level of protection of human rights in the Republic of Ireland as in Northern Ireland in accordance with the Belfast Agreement 1998.

Answer

The Belfast Agreement commits the Irish Government to ensuring an equivalent level of protection for human rights in Ireland to that established in Northern Ireland by the Agreement. As a result of this commitment, the Irish Government established the Irish Human Rights Commission, which in November 2014 merged with the Equality Authority to form the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, like the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, is a UN ‘A status’ accredited National Human Rights Institution, structured and operated in accordance with the Paris Principles.

The UK and Irish Governments meet regularly both at ministerial and official level to discuss issues of mutual interest and concerns including matters relating to the implementation of the Belfast Agreement in each jurisdiction. These include matters relating to human rights in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL5767
Session
2016-17
Related items
Human Rights: Republic of Ireland
Friday, 24 March 2017
Written questions
House of Lords
Human Rights: Republic of Ireland
Monday, 3 April 2017
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Belfast Agreement Human rights Republic of Ireland
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk