The Equality Authority was today given leave to appear as amicus curiae (friend of the Court) in High Court proceedings being brought by a Traveller family against Ballina Town Council, Mayo County Council, the Commissioner of An Garda Síochana, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the District Justice sitting in Ballina Court and Ireland and the…
The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Alvaro Gil-Robles, has supported the position taken by the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) on the possible irregular transfer of detainees via Irish airports. In a letter this week to the President of the IHRC, Dr. Maurice Manning, Commissioner Gil-Robles said: "…Given the widespread allegations of…
Mary Harney TD, Tainaiste and Minister for Health and Children, today launched ‘Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004 and Provision of Health Services’. This is a joint initiative of the Equality Authority, the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive. The publication reflects a shared commitment to equality and the further development…
The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) is seriously concerned about reports that US aircraft landing at Shannon airport may be involved in the transport of persons to secret locations where they may be at risk of being subjected to torture, cruel or inhuman treatment. In view of Ireland’s international legal obligation to ensure that no…
The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Seamus Brennan TD, today launched a new report from the Equality Authority on ‘Implementing Equality for Carers’. The 2002 census identified almost 150,000 carers in Ireland. More than half of Irish people will experience some caring responsibilities during their lifetime. The census found that over half of carers…
The Human Rights Commission will host an international conference on economic, social and cultural rights in Dublin on Friday, 9th and Saturday, 10th December to coincide with International Human Rights Day. Entitled Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Models of Enforcement, the conference will examine the place of this category of rights in legal and political…
The Equality Authority today launched its report on ‘Access to Health Services for Transexual People’ The report highlights the underdeveloped nature of the health treatment and supports available to transexual people. The report is unique in the Irish context. It explores for the first time the perspectives of transexual people on their access to health…
The Equality Authority today welcomed a decision by the District Court to award €6,300 in a case involving discrimination by a public house. This is the maximum award allowed under the legislation. Sr. Brid Smith was refused access to Conway’s Pub and Restaurant in Blackrock because she was accompanied by her guide dog. She arrived…
The Disability Bill 2004 marks the cornerstone of Government legislation and policy in the area of disability and the Commission welcomes the decision of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to refer this Bill to the Commission for its views. The Commission’s observations were forwarded to Minister Michael McDowell on 15th November, 2004….
The Irish Human Rights Commission was today granted leave to appear before the Supreme Court as a ‘friend of the court’ in the proceedings entitled Carmody v The Minster for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Ireland and The Attorney General. The proceedings involve an examination of the extent to which the criminal legal aid scheme…