64 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the standing committee on human rights as promised in the Foreign Affairs White Paper has been set up; and if he will report on its functioning. [14606/97]

The Deputy may be aware that two official-level committees which deal with human rights issues have been established this year, under the aegis of my Department.

The Standing Interdepartmental Committee on Human Rights held its inaugural meeting on 18 February and met again on 17 July. Meeting approximately quarterly, the committee is mandated to consider all aspects of Ireland's international human rights obligations. It is particularly concerned with ensuring the timely preparation of comprehensive national reports under the various international instruments already ratified and with expediting the legislation necessary for the ratification of additional instruments. I should add in the latter regard that I am keen to see the United Nations Conventions on Torture and the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination ratified as soon as possible. The preparatory work for this is under way in the Department concerned. The committee will play a useful role in expediting these ratifications and as a forum for co-ordination and co-operation between Departments on human rights issues generally.