Government rejects enshrining rights of ethnic minorities in the Constitution

The Government has rejected enshrining rights in the Constitution for ethnic minorities — including Travellers — to practise their cultures, despite an independent body recommending the move.

The decision was agreed yesterday at one of the last cabinet meetings before the election. It remains unclear whether abortion will be discussed by the same independent group during the lifetime of the next Dáil.

Over the past year, ministers have considered a number of reports and recommendations made by the 100-member Constitutional Convention, including a recommendation last year that economic, social, and cultural rights should be protected in the Constitution.