Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 19:

In page 11, after line 40, to insert the following:

“Report on compliance with human rights obligations

11.The Minister shall, within 12 months of the passing of this Act and on a bi-annual basis thereafter, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas outlining which steps have been taken to ensure the State has reflected the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, including the principle of non-refoulement in all aspects of the operation of this Act.”.

This amendment is related to one of our earliest amendments when I spoke about how we ensure, not just that Ireland is a signatory, but what steps we have taken. Effectively, this is the companion or equivalent to the amendment we discussed in regard to the practical implementation of human rights and the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. It was that conversation which the Minister of State has agreed to have with me on a granular basis, although I will probably be bringing this back on Report Stage and I think we should have a report on how it is being reflected. We know that what is reported tends to get done and tends to get considered at more points in the process. If the Minister of State wants to accept the amendment, that would be great; if not, I will reintroduce it.

I was trying to ensure that we have a report that would outline exactly which steps have been taken to ensure the State is reflecting the convention, including the principle of non-refoulementin all aspects of the operation of this Act. I do not need to elaborate further as I have already told the Minister of State why I have concerns in that regard and why I want to ensure that our practice matches the principle.