The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) has today been granted leave from the High Court to exercise its amicus curiae (‘friend of the court’) function in a significant case focused on redress for survivors of historic child sexual abuse in schools. As amicus curiae in the case of PD v. The Minister…
Human Rights and Equality Bodies Address Oireachtas Members The proposed Electronic Travel Authorisation* (ETA), required for travel into Northern Ireland for non-Irish and non-British citizens, raises human rights and equality concerns, Oireachtas members were warned today. In an address to the Houses of the Oireachtas, Sinéad Gibney, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and…
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) has called for the State to immediately set a clear timeline for the publication and implementation of the new Action Plan on Bullying and Cyberbullying. As schools prepare to reopen, the Commission reports that dangerous levels of bullying continue to be widely experienced by children at…
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (the “Commission”) notes today’s Supreme Court ruling in a case examining the interpretation of the Offences Against the State Act (the “OSA”) as it relates to the ongoing existence of the non-jury Special Criminal Court (the “SCC”). The case concerned two men who appealed a High Court decision that they…
Commission welcomes UN Human Rights Committee’s Concluding Observations on Ireland’s Human Rights Record The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission welcomes the Concluding Observations issued by the UN Human Rights Committee today, which sets out urgent actions for Ireland’s commitments to human rights issues, as set out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political…
Hours Worked, Pay Levels and Conditions for Groups of Workers Put Under Spotlight Significant action is needed to meet State commitments for workers in Ireland, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has set out today in its report to the Council of Europe. The report focuses on Ireland’s obligations under the Revised European Social…
Disability discrimination remains highest area of public contact representing 46% of contacts related to services and 36% of contacts related to employment. Public contacts up slightly from 2020. Access to bank accounts and driving licences unlocked for refugees and asylum seekers. Expanding powers in EU anti-trafficking role and Post-Brexit rights monitoring. Record level of parliamentary…
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) has noted today’s Supreme Court ruling in the case of Donnelly v. Minister for Social Protection & Ireland. Today’s Supreme Court ruling dismissed a challenge, brought under Article 40.1 of the Constitution and Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights, to a decision of…
Commission Publishes its Legal Submissions on Unregulated Area of Irish Law 29 June 2022 – The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (the ‘Commission’) has appeared before the Supreme Court as amicus curiae (‘friend of the court’) in a significant case relating to surrogacy, citizenship and children’s rights. In its legal arguments to the Supreme Court published…
Garda Commissioner and Minister Appeal WRC Ruling Against Gardaí in Age Discrimination Case The Minister for Justice and Equality and the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána are appealing a 2020 ruling by the Workplace Relations Commission (“WRC”) that two men, Ronald Boyle and Brian Fitzpatrick, were discriminated against by An Garda Síochána when rejected for…