The Irish Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform Alan Shatter has announced a legislative proposal to merge the Irish Human rights Commission (IHRC) with the Equality Authority.
The new entity will be called the Human Rights and Equality Commission, and the combined number of the board members will decrease from 27 to 12. As part of the merger, Minister Shatter will consult with his Northern Irish counterparts to ensure that the merger will not lead to a lack of equivalent protection for human rights.
The amalgamation process will give the new entity direct reporting access to the Oireachtas via its committee system. A temporary advisory committee will be established, consisting of former members of the Equality Authority and members of the IHRC, to assist with the transition period to the new commission.
Commenting on the proposals, President of the IHRC Dr. Maurice Manning said "We are firmly of the view that a stand-alone Human Rights Commission offers the most suitable prospect for human rights protection in Ireland. However, I am personally reassured by the Minister for Justice's statement that he is committed to enhancing and strengthening the state's human rights and equality structures and share his confidence that this body can live up to the highest international standards. We look forward to an early meeting with the Minister and to playing a leading role in shaping the proposed body."
Irish Council for Civil Liberties Director Mark Kelly has noted "One notable omission in the Minister's statement is that it does not explicitly mention the new body inheriting the function currently vested in the Equality Authority to assist vulnerable people to bring cases to the Equality Tribunal and/or the courts."
The Equality and Rights Alliance, a coalition group of 170 organisations, warned that the Irish Government must introduce legislation to ensure that the new commission is effective and independent.
The issue of equivalent protection for human rights North and South is the central topic to the inaugural PILA/PILS Project Joint Annual Conference this November - you can read more and RSVP online here.
Click here to view the press release by the IHRC.
Click here to view the press release by the ICCL.
Click here to view the press release by the Equality and Rights Alliance.