FLAC News Summer 2015 UN REWORK._FLAC05 vol15no4 04/07/2015 22:59 Page 1
flacNews ISSN 0791 4148
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VOLUME 25
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NUMBER 2 1 2015
SPECIAL UN ICESCR REPORTING EDITION
FREE
LEGAL
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CENTRES
UN: ‘Disproportionate’ state focus on cuts during austerity
Palais Wilson, where the UN Committee on Economic, Social & Cultural Rights held its examination of Ireland under the International Covenant
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he Irish State’s response to the economic and financial crisis – cutting public expenditure, especially in housing, healthcare, social security and education – has been criticised by the UN’s top body in this area as having a disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups. The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights issued its Concluding
Observations on the state’s performance over the past decade on Monday 22 June. This followed a formal examination of Irish government delegation led by Minister of State Sean Sherlock on how Ireland is meeting its obligations under the International Covenant, a treaty on human rights to which Ireland is a signatory since 1989. FLAC welcomed the UN observations,
noting the Committee’s grave concerns at the consequences of austerity measures in Ireland. Some of the groups most impacted had already been severely disadvantaged before the recession, while others had been reduced to poverty during it. The Committee made a host of strong recommendations for state action on all areas covered by the Covenant. In particular, FLAC welcomed its suggestions Continued on page 27