Irish President Michael D Higgins has stated in a Law Society address that national human rights commissions must be strong, independent and properly resourced to pursue their important work. His comments were in response to a recent report highlighting the large decrease in the number of cases taken by the Irish equality and human rights bodies. Click here for a summary of President Higgins’ comments.
In the period between 2008 and 2011 the numbers of cases heard by both the Equality Tribunal and the Human Rights Commission dropped significantly. The Equality Tribunal took 33% less cases during that period, and the Equality Authority support 66% less cases. In 2011, the Irish Human Rights Commission granted legal assistance to just three cases. According to the Equality and Rights Alliance, the fall in the number of cases has been directly attributed to funding shortfall for those two State bodies.
Minister of State for Equality Mary White has said that the Irish Human Rights Commission should not face further cuts in funding in the forthcoming budget. “If we cut the commission’s budget any more we won’t be just cutting down to the bone, we’ll have cut down to the fossilised remains. I want to ensure we have a living body”. Ms White also voiced her concerns at the proposed merger of Ireland's human rights and equality bodies, stating that she “personally wouldn’t favour an amalgamation of the three bodies”.
Click here for a summary of Minister of State Mary White’s statement.
The proposed merger would see the amalgamation of the Equality Tribunal, the Equality Authority and the Irish Human Rights Commission to form the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. The merger process is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.