A follow-up meeting on the Fifth Opinion on Ireland of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities is taking place today in Dublin. The meeting is organised by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality of the Government of the Republic of Ireland. Approximately 40 participants are attending the meeting, which is opened by Carol Baxter, the Assistant Secretary in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, and by Michaël Guet, Policy Adviser in the Secretariat of the Framework Convention of the Council of Europe.

The meeting is gathering a consultant, Oliver Loode, former member of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention in respect of Estonia, Thomas McCann, member of the Advisory Committee in respect of Ireland, relevant departments and state agencies, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, civil society organisations and representatives of the Traveller and Roma communities to discuss the implementation of the recommendations adopted by the Advisory Committee in the last monitoring cycle. Special emphasis is placed on combatting discrimination affecting Traveller and Roma communities, on education, accommodation and housing, as well as on health and employment.

The Fifth Opinion on Ireland of the Advisory Committee is available in English and French.