The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) welcomes the publication of the latest report on Ireland by the Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), which recognises significant progress made since 2019 while identifying ongoing gaps in addressing racism, discrimination, and equality challenges.
IHREC engaged closely with the ECRI evaluation process, including through the submission of detailed information and participation in meetings with the visiting delegation during their assessment of Ireland.
The ECRI report highlights a range of positive developments since the previous evaluation cycle, including the establishment of the National Action Plan Against Racism, the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS), the Traveller Health Action Plan, and the draft LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy.
However, the report also points to persistent shortcomings in areas such as the resourcing of IHREC, human rights and equality education, incitement to hatred, discrimination against Travellers, Roma, and LGBTQI+ people, and accommodation conditions for international protection applicants and asylum seekers.
IHREC reiterates key priorities and recommendations arising from the ECRI findings, including the two priority interim recommendations for which ECRI will seek progress updates from the State within two years:
1. Strengthen Anti-Racism Measures and Reform Incitement to Hatred Legislation ECRI highlights the persistence of racism and hate speech targeting migrants, Travellers, Roma and LGBTQI+ people. IHREC calls for comprehensive reform of laws to prohibit incitement to hatred in line with European and international standards.
2. Improve Accommodation for International Protection Applicants ECRI recommends urgent measures to enhance living conditions for asylum seekers, ensuring that LGBTI+ applicants and beneficiaries of international protection have access to safe and non-discriminatory accommodation.
3. Ensure Compliance with European Standards for Equality Bodies The report underscores that the expansion of IHREC’s mandate without corresponding increases in resources affects its capacity to deliver on its statutory functions. ECRI recommends increased resourcing, stronger independence in recruitment, and closer cooperation by Government in implementing recommendations within defined timeframes.
Chief Commissioner Liam Herrick said:
“We welcome ECRI’s recognition of Ireland’s progress in developing key strategies to combat racism and promote inclusion. At the same time, the report underlines that significant gaps remain, particularly in tackling incitement to hatred, ensuring fair treatment for international protection applicants, and providing our national equality body with the resources necessary to fulfil its statutory mandate. The Commission remains committed to working with Government and civil society partners to ensure that Ireland meets its European and international human rights obligations, and that progress towards a truly equal and inclusive society is both meaningful and sustainable.”