Since being set up, the Commission has been given a number of additional areas of responsibility. These include mandates in the areas of disability, anti-human trafficking, artificial intelligence, and gender pay reporting.
Independent National Rapporteur on the Trafficking of Human Beings
Our job as Ireland’s Independent National Rapporteur on Human Trafficking is to:
- assess trends in trafficking in human beings;
- measure the results of anti-trafficking actions;
- gather statistics (including in cooperation with relevant civil society organisations); and
- report.
We work with victims and survivors of trafficking who directly inform our work.
Independent Monitoring Mechanism for Ireland under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (‘UNCRPD’)
Our job is to promote, protect, and monitor how Ireland follows the UNCRPD.
We collaborate with disabled individuals and organisations. This ensures that people who have real experience with disability shape our work.
Co-ordinating National Preventive Mechanism under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture
When the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill passes, we become the National Preventive Mechanism.
We will help to ensure that no one in Ireland faces torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
Designated Authority under the EU Artificial Intelligence Act
We have recently been made a Designated Authority under Article 77 of the AI Act.
Our role is to make sure that people’s rights are respected when high-risk AI systems are being used.
Gender Pay Gap Reporting
The gender pay gap is the difference in the average hourly wage of men and women across a workforce.
From 2025, organisations with over 50 employees have to share reports on pay gaps between male and female workers.
If they don’t publish this report, we can apply to the Circuit Court or High Court for an enforcement order.
