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Minister Flanagan convenes All-Island Civic Dialogue on Human Rights under the Good Friday Agreement

- Dialogue is part of a series of 14 Minister-led all-island dialogues on implications of Brexit for different sectors 

 

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, today (Monday) will convene a sectoral civic dialogue on the possible implications of Brexit for human rights aspects of the Good Friday Agreement.

 

The event is taking place at Maynooth University with participation by 100 representatives from civil society across the island.

 

Speaking ahead of the event, Minister Flanagan said: 

 

“I am convening a sectoral civic dialogue on human rights under the Good Friday Agreement to hear the views of civil society north and south on the possible implications of Brexit for this pivotal chapter of the Agreement.

 

“As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government takes with the utmost seriousness our duty to ensure that all provisions of the Agreement are upheld and secured throughout the process of the UK’s exit from the European Union.

 

“Today's sectoral dialogue is an extremely valuable opportunity to hear directly from experts and practitioners on how the human rights provisions in the Good Friday Agreement should best be protected and upheld throughout the Brexit process.

 

“The Good Friday Agreement is a shared framework to uphold and to utilise as we work together to manage the implications of Brexit.

 

The Minister situated the sectoral dialogues in the context of the Government's overall response, stating:

 

"The detailed work of government departments and agencies has been greatly enriched by a series of All-Island sectoral Civic Dialogues. Last November the Taoiseach and I hosted a plenary Civic Dialogue. We will host another on Friday (17th). In the interim period ministers across government have hosted sectoral civic dialogues on a diverse series of areas ranging from fisheries to children's rights. I am delighted today to host this important discussion on Human Rights under the Good Friday Agreement. 

 

“The UK’s decision to leave the European Union raises significant and complex issues for the island of Ireland. It is essential that the Government hears from all parts of society on how to manage Brexit collectively on an all-island basis.”

 

The Minister extended his thanks to the President of Maynooth University, Professor Philip Nolan, and his University colleagues for hosting the sectoral civic dialogue with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 

Notes for editors:

 

  • The sectoral civic dialogue on human rights under the Good Friday Agreement is one of fourteen sectoral civic dialogues that are being held by the Government. 

 

  • Each of these sectoral discussions will feed in directly to the second Plenary session of the All-Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit that the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will co-host in Dublin on 17 February.

 

  • Representatives of a number of human rights and equality organisations from across the island, and the relevant statutory commissions North and South will participate in the sectoral civic dialogue on Human Rights under the Good Friday Agreement on 13 February. 

 

  • The sectoral will hear the views of those directly involved in work that relies on the human rights frameworks and protections of the Good Friday Agreement.