HL Deb 21 January 2003 vol 643 cc83-4WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 10 December (WA 24) concerning the Irish Human Rights Commission and its lack of representation from Ulster protestants, Ulster Scots and Ulster Unionist communities:

  1. (a) what information was sought from applicants that informed the Answer that no one from the groups mentioned applied;
  2. (b) what was the recruitment process;
    3. WA 84
  3. (c) whether any special activity aimed at these groups was undertaken during the process;
  4. (d) whether the lack of appointments from these groups was drawn to the appropriate Minister's attention; and, if so, by whom and when; and why no action was taken; and [HL704]

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 10 December (WA 24), whether the composition of the Irish Human Rights Commission was referred to the Equality Commission in the Irish Republic; and, if so, by whom, when and what action resulted. [HL705]

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

The subjects raised are a matter for the Government of Ireland. The noble Lord might wish to write to Mr Maurice Manning, President of the Irish Human Rights Commission, 17–19 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2, for further information.

I apologise to the noble Lord for the delay in answering this Question.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, following the Belfast Agreement of 1998, the following issues have been considered by the Irish Human Rights Commission:

  1. (a) the requirement for Irish language for a range of state posts;
  2. (b) the special position of the Irish language in the constitution; and
  3. (c) the playing of the Angelus daily by the state television and radio networks;
if so, what was the result; and, if not, why not; and [HL754]

In view of the Belfast Agreement of 1998 in which the Government of the Republic of Ireland promised to introduce human rights protection to at least the equivalent level as that in Northern Ireland, whether that Government have informed them of any proposals to create a police ombudsman similar to the one in Northern Ireland; and [HL862]

In view of the Belfast Agreement of 1998, what criteria were used in the appointment of commissioners to the Irish Human Rights Commission established by the Belfast Agreement; whether at any stage extra commissioners were appointed to reflect Irish society better; and, if so, why this facility was not accorded to the Ulster Scots, protestants and British communities; and [HL904]

Whether the action of Galway County Council in restricting planning permission only to those who speak Irish fluently will be considered by the Irish Human Rights Commission established by the Belfast Agreement; and, if not, why not. [HL907]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The subjects raised are a matter for the Government of Ireland. The noble Lord might wish to write to Mr Maurice Manning. President of the Irish Human Rights Commission, 17–19 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2, for further information.