17/09/2002

Equality Commission discussed by Minister's

The First Minister and Deputy First Minister have met with Barbara Roche, Minister of State at the Office of the Deputy Irish Prime Minister, to discuss the creation of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, its relationship with her Office and equality issues in general.

The meeting took place, at the request of Ms Roche, in Parliament Buildings and was part of a visit to Northern Ireland, which also included meetings with Edwin Poots, Chairman of the Committee of the Centre, The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) and The Equality Coalition.

A single body encompassing the various Commissions in Great Britain is currently being considered by Ms Roche and her officials.

Promoting equality of opportunity and human rights is a key priority in the Programme for Government and central to all that the devolved administration is trying to achieve.

ECNI exercises the functions previously undertaken by the Fair Employment Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality and the Northern Ireland Disability Council.

The functions of the Commission have been expanded and strengthened in relation to the enforcement of duties under disability discrimination legislation and to the statutory duty on public authorities to promote equality of opportunity.

(MB)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 November 2003
Equality Commission back joint 'women’s manifesto'
Launched this week in the run up to the Assembly election a women’s manifesto has set out a number of demands in key equality areas that women want the new Assembly to tackle.
01 June 2018
DUP-Led Dept 'Failed To Comply' With Equality Rules
The Department for Communities "failed to comply" with equality rules in its decision to cut funding for an Irish language scheme, an investigation by the Equality Commission (EC) has found.
31 October 2013
Equality Commission Enters LGBT Debate
Northern Ireland's Equality Commission has told the BBC that Stormont needs to take action to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people living in Northern Ireland. The Commission was reacting to the continued vetoing by the DUP of votes on the subject of gay marriage at Stormont.
10 December 2004
NI workforce in line with religious make up
Northern Ireland’s workforce is more in line with its religious make up than ever before, the Northern Ireland Equality Commission said today. The fourteenth annual Fair Employment Monitoring Report released today showed that the composition of the Northern Ireland workforce for 2003 was 58.3% Protestant and 41.7% Roman Catholic.
09 March 2023
Dept Of Economy Failed To Comply With Equality Scheme
The Department for the Economy failed to comply with specific Equality Scheme commitments in relation to the equality screening of the High Street Voucher scheme, according to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.