License to discriminate would set dangerous precedent that could impact on rights and freedoms enjoyed by all of us Thursday, June 17th – The Equality Authority has today said that allowing public servants to put personal religious beliefs before the requirements of civil law would set a dangerous precedent that could impact very seriously on…
The Equality Authority notes with disappointment of the outcome of the appeal to the High Court in the Cahill v. Minister for Education and Science. The Authority had appealed the Circuit Court decision on matters concerning the reasonable accommodation of students with disabilities. This original complaint dates back to 2001. “The Equality Authority regrets that…
The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) today published Writer & Righter by Seamus Heaney. Writer & Righter is the published version of the IHRC’s Fourth Annual Human Rights Lecture which was delivered by Seamus Heaney on the eve of International Human Rights Day, 9 December 2009. Writer & Righter is being launched by Mary Robinson,…
The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) is taking part today in a unique Human Rights Hearing organised by the Rialto Rights in Action Project. The event will hear evidence from residents in Dolphins House local authority flats complex about the impact of poor housing conditions on their health and well being. Ireland has committed to…
The 7th Say No To Ageism Week is launched today by the Minister for Older People, Áine Brady TD. The week, a joint initiative by the Equality Authority and the Health Service Executive asks people, particularly those in service provision to ‘Care about Ageism’. This year the theme of the campaign is calling on people…
The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) welcomed the findings of a report published today in Vienna by the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA). The report calls for the establishment and strengthening of national human rights institutions (NHRI), such as the IHRC, in each EU Member State to ensure consistency in the independent monitoring and protection…
Service, Policy and Legislative Reform Essential The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) today published its Enquiry Report into the situation of a group of adults with a severe to profound intellectual disability in the John Paul Centre, Galway. The enquiry found that there were serious gaps in the provision of services to residents or people…
The Equality Authority seeks greater recognition of the diverse situations in which children are being parented in modern Ireland. “The best interests of children require that greater diversity of parenting arrangements be acknowledged in the framing of family law, so that the responsibilities of all those in a parenting role are appropriately recognised. The Authority…
IHRC calls for Stronger Human Rights Safeguards in DNA Database Legislation The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) today published its observations on the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2010. The IHRC calls for stronger human rights protection for people who will be affected by its provisions. The aim of the Bill…
The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) today recommended to Government to introduce Mental Capacity legislation and review the Mental Health Act 2001 (2001 Act) to ensure the rights of Incapacitated Persons and Wards of Court are protected. These measures should now be taken to strengthen, protect and uphold the human rights of Incapacitated Persons and…