§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have discussed with the Government of the Republic of Ireland (a) the fact that, under the first paragraph 9 of the Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity section of the Belfast Agreement, any bill of rights for Northern Ireland will have to be incorporated in the Irish constitution; and (b) that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's proposed bill of rights will require other changes to the Irish constitution. [HL1108]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is expected to make formal recommendations on what may be contained in a bill of rights early in 2002. When those recommendations have been received, the Government will consider them and will consult with any interested parties, including the Irish Government at that stage. However, the Belfast Agreement does not specifically require the Irish Government to incorporate any bill of rights for Northern Ireland into the Irish constitution.