It gives me great pleasure to be with you all today.
I would like to thank Maurice Manning, President of the Commission for his kind invitation to address you.
Declaration
In the aftermath of the Second World War, as the people attempted to salvage some sanity and humanity from the wreckage, nations came together in Paris to sign the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
That document has become one of the most important documents of the Twentieth century.
The world standard for human rights.
Many new issues have emerged since 1948, undreamt of by those who drafted the declaration, such as data protection, its security and its privacy, in this age of social media and instant communication.
But still, this declaration is true to itself.
Human Rights to the fore
Ireland’s being to the fore in matters of Human Rights is important not just in terms of how the world sees us, but how we regard ourselves.
It is a matter of substance. Conscience. Not mere image.
We are a small country. But we are a significant nation. Being both ancient and new.
The strength and open-mindedness of the country being reflected in that of the Human Rights Commission.
This government wants to build on this so it is vital that we retain a strong, independent and open minded new Commission that continues to provide its valuable support to our people and government.
Merger
The last government’s policy of reduced funding means the last few years have been particularly difficult for the Commission.
While you have been creative in finding ways to function, this reduction has actually threatened the existence of the Commission.
As I just mentioned, it is this government’s top priority to retain the independence of the new Commission.
By bringing together the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority into a new Human Rights and Equality Commission we want to ensure an even greater promotion and enhancement of human rights and equality issues.
Together, we see this as an opportunity for Ireland to further augment human rights and equality policies.
The new Commission will reflect the best values of both existing bodies, build on their work and I hope critically engage with Government as well as working collaboratively at times.
Good Friday Agreement
The human rights commitments written into the Good Friday Agreement remain a critical priority for this Government. The Agreement called for the establishment of a Human Rights Commission with an equivalent mandate and remit to that in Northern Ireland.
I firmly do believe that the merger of the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority will give the new body a wider remit and more resources across the full rights and equality agenda. And in doing so, I also believe this merger meets, and extends beyond, our commitments in a Northern-Ireland context.
Our dedication to the terms of the Belfast Agreement remains and we will continue to work towards the full implementation of all Agreements on the future of Northern Ireland.
United Nations Human Rights Council/ OSCE
We are a nation that struggled to assert our independence and the rights of our people.
And because we are, we are proud to be a member of the United Nations for the last 55 years.
We are also acutely aware, as a small State, of the benefits and opportunities presented by a multilateral approach to tackling human rights issues around the world.
Since its establishment five years ago, Ireland has played an extremely active role as an observer State within the United Nations Human Rights Council.
We will be seeking membership of the Council for the first time, for the term 2013-15, in elections which will take place next year.
And if we’re successful, our term on the Council will coincide with our EU Presidency in 2013. A seat on the Council would represent a real opportunity for Ireland to promote just, equitable and effective solutions to difficult human rights issues.
In the meantime however, Ireland will, from January next, for the first time hold the Chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
My colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore TD, will be the Chairman-in-Office He will have the main political responsibility for guiding this organization of 56 participating States, covering most of the northern hemisphere and a population of over 1 billion people.
The vision of the OSCE reflects what has been a long-standing focus of Irish foreign policy: the promotion of peace and security through the respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Constitutional Convention
As you may know, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish a Constitutional Convention.
Our current Constitution has served us well and has always been an evolving document. The Supreme Court has over the years provided ground breaking interpretations on various issues. However it is a document of its time and a review is timely.
I welcome the Commission support for the Convention and I believe the Commission will have an important role to play by highlighting human rights issues in what will be a complex task. I hope that the government will be in a position to make an announcement on this later this year.
Conclusion
Finally, today, I want to pay tribute to staff past and present of the Commission for your commitment and work over the past ten years.
To the Commissioners....I acknowledge your energy and leadership.
We must not forget Judge Donal Barrington who led the way as the Commissions first President.
Of course, there’s Maurice Manning.
I know and value, personally, Maurice’s good counsel.
He has steered the path for you all and I hope he will continue to lead the way.
Over the next few years, Ireland will commemorate significant events in our own and the world’s history.
As we move towards commemorating The Rising 1916, I’m confident the Ireland will have a Human Rights and Equality infrastructure that will reflect the Proclamation that guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all.
On this International Day of Peace, we reaffirm our commitment to human rights.
To quote Tom Kettle
“the dream born in a herdsman shed and the secret scripture of the poor.”
Which does not expend. But rather cherishes, sustains the integrity, the rights, the energies of our shared humanity.