A Joint Oireachtas Committee has heard submissions on the European Convention of Human Rights Bill 2001 today. Interested parties made submissions to the Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights. These included academic lawyers, the Bar Council, the Law Society, the Irish Refugee Council and disabilities representatives.
Sean Ardagh, Chairman of the Committee, said that the submissions will help deputies and senators to formulate amendments to the legislation as the need arises. Many speakers said that they felt it was unfortunate that the Bill did not enshrine the Convention more fully in Irish Law.
Belfast and London-based lawyer Dr Austin Morgan warned that that the State could be accused from outside of remaining in breach of its international obligations under the Good Friday Agreement if the Bill was to be enacted in its present form.
