Publications

Quarter 2 2020

Q2 2020 IHREC Prompt Payments Return

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has recommended a review of the Department of Health’s guidance framework on prioritisation in access to critical care in the context of COVID-19. The Commission has made this recommendation in a written submission to the Minister for Health, to ensure this important guidance meets the highest standards of…

On 23 December 2019, the Government of Ireland submitted its 17th National Report to the European Committee of Social Rights (“the Committee”) on the implementation of the European Social Charter (“the Charter”). Comments on Irelands 17th National Report on the Implementation of the European Social Charter – June 2020  Under the simplified reporting procedure, the…

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission appeared remotely before the Supreme Court as amicus curiae (‘friend of the court’) in the case (Ali Charaf Damache v the Minister for Justice and Equality) which focuses on the process under which Irish citizenship can be revoked. Legal Submissions: FinalSubmissions.FILED.7.2.20

The Cunningham v. Irish Prison Service High Court case looked at whether the Irish Prison Service (IPS) must provide reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts to prison officers with disabilities. In its judgment delivered on 9th June 2020 in the Cunningham v. Irish Prison Service (IPS) appeal, the High Court held that the Labour…

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has contacted Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty T.D. regarding the exclusion of applicants for International Protection residing in direct provision from the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment Scheme. Letter to Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty T.D.  

In line with its mandate to keep law and practice as they relate to human rights and equality under review, the Commission has reviewed the legality of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme and the exclusion of women returning from maternity leave. Letter to Minister for Finance & Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe T.D., 27th…

Letter to Garda Commissioner on COVID Powers Policing

Letter sent by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission to the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána on April 28, 2020. Letter from IHREC to Garda Commissioner Harris 28 April 2020

As negotiations are underway to establish our next Government, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has written individually to the leaders of each of the political parties to urge them to ensure that human rights and equality are central to the next Programme for Government. Please find below this letter as addressed to Leo…

 This publication, produced Dr Sylvia de Mars and Colin Murray, Newcastle University and Professor Aoife O’Donoghue, Durham University and Dr Ben Warwick, University of Birmingham, explores EU citizenship and what it means in practice in the context of the commitment within the Withdrawal Agreement to provide people of Northern Ireland who identify as Irish to…

Letter to An Taoiseach in relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic

This letter sent to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on March 25 2020, is on behalf of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in recognition of the unprecedented public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.