It is with deep sadness that the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) has learned of the death of former Justice Donal Barrington. Donal Barrington was a ground-breaking figure in the establishment of Ireland’s human rights framework. His lifelong passion for human rights and social justice shaped Ireland’s human rights environment, and his…
Commission Provided Legal Representation in Bringing Case The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) provided legal assistance to a woman in her successful challenge of discrimination under the ‘housing assistance’ ground in the provision of accommodation. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) which heard the case, determined that she had been directly discriminated against…
Commission Provided Legal Representation to Group The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (the ‘Commission’) has welcomed a settlement secured in a case of members of the Traveller community denied service in a licensed premises. The individuals involved applied jointly to the District Court for redress under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 with legal representation…
Commission Provided Preliminary Legislative Observations The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (“the Commission”) has noted today’s publication of the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill by the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, welcoming aspects of the Bill. Ahead of the Bill’s publication, the Commission submitted its preliminary legislative observations to the Department, emphaissing the…
Commission Exercises Amicus Curiae Role The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) has today appeared before the Supreme Court as an amicus curiae (‘friend of the court’) in two cases concerning the rights of non-Irish families who have been permitted to work and study in the State. The central issue is whether the Minister…
Commission Exercised Role as Amicus Curiae in Landmark Case The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (the ‘Commission’) exercised its function as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in the landmark Supreme Court case on the right of an individual living in direct provision to earn a livelihood, and is considering today’s Government proposals in response…
Grants Focus on promoting Intercultural relations and supporting implementation of the public-sector equality and human rights duty The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (“the Commission”) has today announced the 31 organisations awarded funding for projects under its Human Rights and Equality Grants Scheme 2017. The grant awards include support for research, education and training…
Human Rights and Equality Commission/ESRI Publish Discrimination Findings Almost one in eight people in Ireland report that they have experienced discrimination over the preceding two years. A new study which draws on a large, nationally representative survey taken from CSO data of responses from 15,000 adults has found that discrimination is felt acutely among specific…
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) notes that a significant decision today in a legal case on the quality of social housing in Ireland raises serious concerns in relation to Ireland’s social housing provision, and requires urgent action by the Government and Local Authorities. The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) found…
Commission to Appear as Amicus Curiae in Case The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) has today been granted liberty by the Court of Appeal to exercise its amicus curiae (‘friend of the court’) function in an important case relating to the right of persons detained in mental health hospitals to challenge orders (‘renewal orders’) authorising…