Visit to Commission of State Council Legislative Affairs Office of the People’s Republic of China, 23 March 2017
The Commission met a delegation from the State Council Legislative Affairs Office of the People’s Republic of China (SCLAO), led by Vice-Minister Hu Keming, on 23 March 2017. The SCLAO is a working body under the State Council (the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China) that assists the Chinese Premier in handling legislative affairs and other legal affairs. The SCLAO delegation visited Ireland with a particular focus on the Irish experience of unemployment insurance and social welfare reform, in advance of China introducing its own reforms in this area. In addition, the delegation met bodies with a similar remit in the Irish system, which included a meeting with the Attorney General, Máire Whelan SC, and the Director General of the Office of the Attorney General, Damien Moloney. At the delegation’s meeting with the Commission, the President of the Commission, Mr Justice John Quirke, Commissioner Raymond Byrne and Commissioner Ms Justice Carmel Stewart discussed the Commission’s general role and function. The delegation was also accompanied by His Excellency Dr Yue Xiaoyong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Ireland. Pictured are the delegates from the SCLAO, the Chinese Ambassador and the President of the Commission, together with Commissioners Byrne and Stewart and senior Commission staff