The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Ireland: will it make a difference?

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2012-12
Authors
Smyth, Claire-Michelle
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Centre for Criminal Justice & Human Rights (CCJHR), School of Law, University College Cork
Published Version
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Abstract
The divide between the protection and recognition of Civil and Political Rights compared with Social and Economic Rights is a stark one. In response to this divide the United Nations in June 2008 adopted the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which for the first time allows for an international forum to determine breaches of social and economic rights within domestic systems. The task of bringing such an Optional Protocol to fruition was one fraught with opposition, particularly from states who grant little or no judicial protection to social and economic rights. Ireland is one of those states where the fight to judicially protect social and economic rights has been met with fierce resistance. The status of Social and Economic Rights in Ireland determined by the Supreme Court is that they do not warrant judicial protection and are solely within the ambit of the Executive arm of the state, a view which is consistent with many other opponents to the Optional Protocol. Having signed the Optional Protocol in 2012 Ireland made a political commitment to the furtherance and protection of these rights within the domestic system. Given the opposition to the Optional Protocol, the content was significantly diluted and its potential impact on the Irish jurisdiction is questionable.
Description
Keywords
Social and economic rights , Optional protocol , International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights , Ireland
Citation
Smyth, C.-M. (2018) 'The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Ireland: will it make a difference?', CCJHR Legal Research Working Papers series, No. 2, Cork: CCJHR, University College Cork.
Copyright
© Claire-Michelle Smyth, 2012