FEARS that the initiatives undertaken by the Department of Equality and Law Reform will fall by the wayside following its abolition were expressed by a number of groups yesterday. However, the National Women's Council welcomed the decision to transfer the Department's functions to the Department of Justice.
SIPTU's national equality officer, Ms Noirin Greene, accused the new Government of "sidelining equality".
"The equality policies developed under the Department of Equality and Law Reform must continue," she said.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions expressed "serious concern at the proposed integration of equality matters into the Department of Justice and, in particular, the employment related aspects of equality".
Its equality officer, Ms Rosaleen Glackin, said it would urge the Taoiseach to transfer responsibility for the Employment Equality Bill to the Department of Enterprise, Employment and Trade. "It is extremely important that the question of equality in employment is not isolated from the mainstream of labour market measures and other employment legislation designed to promote equality and fairness in employment."
FLAC, the voluntary free legal advice centres, said it was concerned at the development and urged the Government "to ensure that the move will not result in a diminished commitment to equality issues. At a time when a number of matters require urgent attention, it is essential that this vital Department retains a distinct identity.
These matters include the reintroduction of two equality Bills affected by a recent Supreme Court decision and moves against racism, it said.
However, the National Women's Council reacted more favourably. Aligning Justice with Equality and Law Reform "could be transformational", it said.
"Since women's rights are profoundly a matter of justice, the broadening of the Justice brief could lead to a transformation in the role and contribution of this Department," its chairwoman, Ms Noreen Byrne, said.
But the council criticised remarks by the Government Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, alleging that he had described equality priorities as largely legislative.
"The law is the foundation or framework for equality but we need clarification as to how the Department is to support and monitor progress in the wider arena," Ms Byrne said.