A/HRC/33/17
127. Work was ongoing to foster the advancement of women into decision-making roles
and positive action measures aimed at improving their employment opportunities and
economic position. A consultation process on establishing a national women’s strategy
would commence in 2016, including wide-ranging consultation with civil society.
128. A new Traveller and Roma inclusion strategy was being established. A
comprehensive, three-phase consultation process was under way. Phase 1 identified key
themes for the new strategy, and phase 2 identified and agreed high-level objectives under
each agreed theme. The final phase would identify detailed actions to achieve each agreed
objective, with timescales, institutional responsibilities and monitoring arrangements.
129. Ireland had a small Roma population, comprising recent migrants mainly from other
European Union member States and their Irish-born children. They had the same rights as
all other European Union citizens and were fully protected by equality legislation. A Roma
consultative committee, on which members of the Roma community would be represented,
was being established to ensure that their voices and issues were heard at the centre of
Government.
130. A Minister of State for Disabilities had been appointed with a seat at the Cabinet
table and a mandate to ensure greater coherence in service delivery and a real improvement
in the situation of people with disabilities. A new disability inclusion strategy was being
developed on the basis of a comprehensive consultation process, and should be in place in
2016.
131. Ireland was committed to ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities. It was anticipated that the necessary legislation would be published soon and
would be enacted to allow for ratification by the end of 2016. Ireland would ratify the
Optional Protocol to the Convention at the same time.
132. Legislation would be introduced to remove the current exemption allowing for
underage marriage.
133. There was no lack of legal certainty in relation to surnames for any children in
Ireland.
134. Ireland thanked delegations for their comments and recommendations and
committed to submitting a voluntary interim report in 2018 or 2019.
II. Conclusions and/or recommendations
135. The recommendations formulated during the interactive dialogue have been
examined by Ireland and enjoy the support of Ireland:
135.1
Ensure the ratification of the recently signed human rights
conventions (Romania);
135.2
Accede to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons
from Enforced Disappearance (Sierra Leone);
135.3
Expedite the process that will lead to the ratification of the
Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, as well as the Optional
Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
(Mozambique);
** The conclusions and recommendations have not been edited.
GE.16-12337
13
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents