The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (the “Commission”) has expressed serious concern at news reports citing further data from the Policing Authority detailing the deployment of Anti-Spit Guards on children and people with mental health issues. The Commission reiterates the need for An Garda Síochána to provide clarity on the use of Anti-Spit Guards…
Commission Members Address Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (the Commission) has set out to Oireachtas Members that emergency legislation related to COVID must be used only exceptionally, and must be subjected to strict human rights standards and oversight. Newly appointed Chief Commissioner Sinéad Gibney and Commission Member…
A report to the UN, assessing Ireland’s performance on combatting discrimination against women, has set out that the State has not done enough to discharge its human rights obligations to investigate the situation of women and children who were institutionalised in Magdalene Laundries and those subjected to symphysiotomy. The report also sets out that the…
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has written to new Minister for Justice and Equality, Helen McEntee TD to voice its ongoing concerns for the safety and well-being of people in the Direct Provision system around COVID-19. In the wake of recent COVID-19 clusters affecting some centres, the Commission has asked the Minister to…
Court Rules that RSA Regulations Block All Asylum Seekers from Getting Driving Licence Dublin Circuit Court has today ruled that a single mother living in a rural Direct Provision centre, is legally blocked from accessing a learner driver permit by the RSA’s current driving licence regulations. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (the ‘Commission’),…
Commission and ESRI Publish First-of-its-Kind Study in Ireland New research published today reveals the gap between what people say in public about their attitudes to minorities in Ireland, and what they say when afforded anonymity. The study challenges previous assumptions about people’s views, and has implications for policy approaches to foster interculturalism The new study…
Commission Exercised Amicus Curiae Role in Supreme Court Case The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (the “Commission”) has welcomed today’s Supreme Court judgment in a case which clarifies marriage and family rights. In its judgment in MKFS v. the Minister for Justice and Equality, the Supreme Court has overturned a previous High Court ruling, which found…
Commission Members Address Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (the Commission) has today set out to Oireachtas Members that unless law, practice, and policy underpinning the rights of people with disabilities is made more resilient, we will continue to see people with disabilities facing their rights being undermined…
Significant legal successes against discriminatory advertising and disability discrimination in employment. 31 Equality Reviews on Traveller accommodation issued to each City and County Council in the State. 2,165 concerns raised by public to the Commission – disability discrimination the highest area of contact with almost a third of all equality related concerns. Brexit-focused Joint Committee…
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) has today welcomed the Government’s recommendation of Ms. Sunniva McDonagh SC to be proposed for appointment to serve on the Commission. Ms. McDonagh joins seven other proposed Commission Members, who have been recommended by Government for appointment. The announcement comes after an open and transparent competition…