THE NATIONAL Disability Authority and the Equality Authority should be merged into a new institution that would also take up the mandate previously assumed by the Combat Poverty Agency and a national committee on racism, according to a document sent to the new Minister of State for Equality.
The Irish Timeshas learned that the Minister, Kathleen Lynch, has received a report from a collection of rights bodies which recommends ratification of outstanding international human rights instruments, constitutional change to underpin the State's commitment to equality, the inclusion of socio-economic status as a ground for non-discrimination and inclusion of positive duties on public bodies to promote human rights.
The document also recommends the amalgamation of some institutions to strengthen the equality infrastructure and avoid duplication.
A “roadmap” for a strengthened equality and human rights infrastructure in Ireland has been produced by the Equality and Rights Alliance and has been endorsed by more than 60 organisations, including Age Action Ireland, Barnardos, the Carers’ Association, the Immigrant Council of Ireland, the Irish Traveller Movement, LGBT Noise, the Migrants Rights Centre and Women’s Aid.
It stresses the importance of independence and effectiveness, and advocates the amalgamation of the two authorities, with the new body also incorporating the mandate of Combat Poverty and the National Consultative Committee of Racism and Interculturalism, which were abolished by the previous government.
It does not support a proposal made to the previous government to include the Irish Human Rights Commission in an amalgamated body with the Equality Authority, but advocates a co-ordinating mechanism to enable joint planning between them.
Meanwhile, the European Commissioner on Human Rights has issued a document arguing that bodies which promote equality should be independent of government and adequately funded even in times of economic stringency.
Thomas Hammarberg, whose office was created by the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, has issued an opinion on national structures for promoting equality, based on a survey of such bodies across Europe.
Niall Crowley, former chief executive of the Equality Authority who resigned in 2008 in protest at a 43 per cent in its budget, was the consultant on the project.