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Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and Justice Minister Alan Shatter today announced that Ireland will sign, subject to ratification, the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The Tánaiste said:

The Government has taken a decision that Ireland will sign the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The Optional Protocol, once in force, will provide for a complaints procedure for individuals who believe their economic, social and cultural rights have been violated. I am delighted that Ireland is in a position to support the Optional Protocol and to help strengthen UN human rights protection mechanisms.

Minister Shatter added:

This Government is deeply committed to the protection and promotion of human rights and our Programme for Government clearly states our goal of forging a new Ireland, based on fairness and equality. To do this in the most meaningful and effective way, we are constantly reviewing and improving our human rights and equality infrastructure.

The Protocol will establish a mechanism that will enable individuals or groups of individuals to submit a complaint to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights regarding alleged violations of their economic, social and cultural rights. All domestic remedies must first be exhausted before a complaint can be submitted.