Legislation incorporating the European Convention on Human Rights into Irish law is to be delayed until after the Dáil's summer recess, to allow a large number of interested parties to make submissions on it. However, a section of the legislation formally establishing the Human Rights Commission is to be put through the Dáil next week as a separate Bill. Fine Gael and Labour had opposed passing the Convention legislation before the summer recess, as they believe it needs substantial amendment.
A total of 18 groups want to give evidence on the proposed legislation during its committee stage, which will now be taken in July. The separate Bill putting the Human Rights Commission on a statutory basis is likely to be unopposed. It is necessary because Justice Minister John O'Donoghue increased the membership of the Commission from nine to 15 after a row about his original appointments to the Commission.
