A/HRC/33/17 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-fifth session from 2 to 13 May 2016. The review of Ireland was held at the 18th meeting on 11 May 2016. The delegation of Ireland was headed by Tánaiste and Minister of Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald. At its 20th meeting, held on 13 May 2016, the Working Group adopted the report on Ireland. 2. On 12 January 2016, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Ireland: Ghana, Republic of Korea and Slovenia. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Ireland: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/25/IRL/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/25/IRL/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/25/IRL/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Ireland through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation stated that Ireland attached great importance to human rights and the universal periodic review. Significant domestic developments had taken place since the first cycle. Ireland had challenges to address and was committed to improving its human rights protection. The delegation stressed the importance of, and the significant contribution made by, a strong and independent community and voluntary sector, and praised the engagement of civil society organizations and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. 6. The delegation outlined the socioeconomic context for the policy choices of the previous five years. The social welfare system had protected the most vulnerable from the worst impact of the financial crisis. 7. Key recent human rights developments had included the adoption by referendum of a Constitutional amendment to provide for same-sex marriage. Ireland was at the forefront of introducing self-determined gender recognition under the Gender Recognition Act 2015, which allowed adults to determine their own gender without recourse to medical or psychological opinion, and provided for a person’s preferred gender to be fully recognized by the State. GE.16-12337 3