Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty

In accordance with section 42(1) of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, public bodies shall, in the performance of its functions, have regard to the need to

(a) eliminate discrimination,

(b) promote equality of opportunity and treatment of its staff and the persons to whom it provides services, and

(c) protect the human rights of its members, staff and the persons to whom it provides services.

There are specific statutory obligations with which public bodies must comply and which can be understood as duties to assess, address and report.

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in our Statement of Strategy set out our commitment to human rights, equality and anti-discrimination. We have launched an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy and Action Plan, and committed to implementing the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, and an EDI Policy will be published which sets out how the Department works to ensure equality, diversity and inclusion as an employer and as a public body.

Read more about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion