The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (the ‘Commission’) welcomes the decision of Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill, that survivors of child sexual abuse in National Schools cannot be excluded from the State’s ex gratia (out of court) payment scheme because they have not established a ‘prior complaint’ against their abuser. In November 2017, Mr Justice…
Human Rights and Equality Commission Sets out Priority Areas for State Action The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (“the Commission”) has marked the entry into force today of the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, by setting out its recommendations for key priority actions from the State. The…
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has today announced that it is to legally request every local authority in the State to undertake an equality review on their provision of Traveller accommodation. The statutory equality reviews, requested of each of the thirty-one county and city councils, focuses on failures nationally to draw down ring-fenced…
Significant legal interventions across direct provision, disability rights and housing. 1,711 concerns raised by public to the Commission – disability discrimination remains the highest area of contact seeing almost a third of all equality related concerns. Housing set as a key focus over the next three years in line with new strategy 2019-2021 and key…
On World Refugee Day the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (“the Commission”) has restated the need for changes to Ireland’s International Protection Act 2015 to support the reunification of families of refugees in Ireland. The Commission has consistently criticised the narrowing of access to family reunification for people granted international protection under changes to…
Legal Representation Provided by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) has today welcomed the settlement in the case of a woman who was refused a dental service on disclosing her HIV status. The Commission provided legal advice and representation to the woman in bringing her…
Commission Exercised Amicus Curiae Role in Case The Supreme Court has today delivered judgment in the case of Sweeney v. Minister for Justice, Ireland and the Attorney General. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) appeared in the Sweeney case as an amicus curiae (‘friend of the court’) as the case examined the…
The Joint Committee of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has met at Stormont today. Established under the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement to consider human rights issues in the island of Ireland, the Joint Committee has commissioned several pieces of research – the most recent of which…
Commission Provided Legal Representation to Man in His Case Against Sky Handling Partner Ltd. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) has today welcomed the decision by the Workplace Relations Commission (“the WRC”) in the case of a man who successfully challenged his dismissal from employment with Sky Handling Partner Ltd because he…
Commission Appears as Amicus Curiae in Case The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) has this week appeared before the Supreme Court as amicus curiae (‘friend of the court’) in a case that explores whether the procedures under which someone can be confined to a hospital or nursing home, and made a ward of court are…