Many people are unaware that, as things stand in Ireland, previous convictions for minor offences can continue to play a negative role in a person’s life for many years after a conviction. Currently, if you receive a fine, or a short suspended sentence or less than six months in prison, you can be asked to…
IHRC calls for Extension of Spent Convictions Scheme to Rehabilitate more People who have had a Minor Criminal Conviction The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC), today, published its observations on the Spent Convictions Bill 2007. While offering a strong welcome for the proposed system under which people convicted of a minor offence do not have…
The Equality Authority has welcomed the European Parliament’s adoption of the proposals by Dutch Green MEP Kathalijne Buitenweg, which extends discrimination protection beyond the labour market to goods and services for the discrimination grounds of sexual orientation, disability, age and religion/belief. ‘Ireland has led the way in providing protection against discrimination and harassment for these…
The Equality Authority has welcomed the recent decision to award €30,000 in compensation for discrimination. The award was made by the Equality Tribunal to Ms. Boyle in relation to her conditions of employment. It was awarded to her on grounds of gender, gender harassment and dismissal. Ms Boyle, who worked as a Housing Manager, was…
The Equality Authority has sent a pre-budget letter to the Taoiseach in support of the community and voluntary sector which it sees as a vital part of our national equality infrastructure. The letter, which was also circulated to other members of Cabinet, underlines the value for money which the Government achieves through the funding of…
IHRC calls for section 62 of the Housing Act 1966 to be amended to bring it into compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in a policy statement published today expresses grave concern that the present law relating to the eviction of local authority tenants is not compliant…
Judgment of Mr Justice Hedigan delivered on the 18th day of March 2009 Judgment was delivered today in this case under the Equal Status Acts where Eagle Star Life Assurance Company had asked the High Court to quash a decision made by the Equality Tribunal. Ms Bernadette Treanor who is an Equality Officer with the…
The Equality Authority today welcomed the successful outcome of an Equal Status case it represented before the Equality Tribunal under the disability ground. (Ref DEC-S2009-015). The complainant, Sean Thompson, has a visual impairment and uses the Dept of Social and Family Affairs Free Travel Pass on Irish Rail DART to go to work. He is…
‘The Equality Authority’s vision for an equal society is clear and strong and we will pursue this with leadership, passion and vigour’, said its Chairperson Angela Kerins, at the launch of the Equality Authority’s fourth Strategic Plan today. ‘The doors of the Equality Authority are wide open and we welcome all those who have an…
The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) supports the recent call by the Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, for the extension of her remit to include oversight of the asylum, immigration and naturalisation processes. The Ombudsman made her call last week when launching a report by the Women’s Health Council into gender-based violence against minority ethnic women in…