Equal Status (Amendment) Bill 2013

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

The proposal would add new protected grounds to equality law, including trade-union membership, socio-economic background, being a native Irish speaker, criminal convictions, conflict-related convictions and living in a rural area. Public bodies would have to promote equal opportunities, consider how major decisions affect different groups, consult affected people, publish assessments and work to reduce inequalities linked to disadvantage. The Equality Authority would issue guidance, approve equality plans and review progress, while failure to meet these duties could lead to a complaint.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to promote equality in the functioning of public bodies, to provide that regard be had by public bodies to the desirability of reducing socio-economic and other inequalities, to provide for the carrying out of equality impact assessments in respect of measures that are likely to have a significant impact or effect on the equality of opportunity between persons, to provide for the administration by the equality authority of various matters pertaining to this Act, to amend the Equal Status Act 2000, and to provide for related matters

Last updated 2 May 2018