Government reps face further grilling by UN on human rights

Government representatives are facing a second day of questioning by a UN committee examining Ireland's human rights mechanisms today.

A delegation is in Geneva to explain how the Government has complied with the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights.

A number of civil society organisations including Threshold, Atheist Ireland and Justice for Magdalenes Research, are also attending.

Yesterday, the Department of Justice was asked about reparations to survivors of Magdalene laundries, the system of direct provision for asylum seekers and abortion laws.

Dr Katherine O'Donnell, of the Justice for Magdalenes Research group, wants the Government to be reprimanded by the UN committee.

"They have very serious concerns about around how austerity has impacted human rights in Ireland, and they're suggesting ways that the Government ought to have pushed the Troika further on defending human rights issues," she said

"They're certainly interested in the issues of abortion, Magdalene issues, and direct provision as key issues that the Government really needs to tackle properly if it's going to move forward an keep a good record on human rights."