Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
You can protect your equality and rights today, starting with just one phonecall. Arrange a visit to your TD, and communicate your concerns at the government’s proposal to merge five equality and rights bodies.
ERA has compiled a set of guidelines for visiting your TD. These guidelines include a set of questions to put to your TD, and a sample letter. To access the guidelines please visit the ERA media centre.
Need to find out more about your TDs? Check out our list of TDs by Constituency here.
Posted in News, Support from Oireachtas Members
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008
Statement by Kathleen Lynch TD
Wednesday, 01 October 2008
SURVIVAL OF EQUALITY AUTHORITY ESSENTIAL
There is no sense whatsoever in talking about merging the Equality Authority with the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Data Protection Commissioner. All of these bodies certainly have their place and to dilute their important work in this way would be ludicrous.
The cost of running these bodies is relatively small, and I fail to see what real savings could be made by merging them.
This Government has consistently eroded and buried the equality issue since it abolished the Department of Equality and Law Reform back in 1997 and that attack seems to be continuing unabated.
It is beyond doubt that that more work needs to be done, but even a cursory glance at the Equality Authority’s latest annual report gives a clear indication as to the value of the work that they carry out.
The Authority has made significant gains in tackling discrimination and that work should not be compromised for the sake of a bookkeeping exercise of dubious value.
Contact your TD today
Kathleen Lynch is Labour TD for Cork South Central. Find contact details for your TD by constituency here.
Tags: Equality Authority, Irish Human Rights Commission, Labour, Statement, Support from Oireachtas Members
Posted in Support from Oireachtas Members
Tuesday, September 30th, 2008
Bullying of rights agencies must be resisted
Fine Gael Justice Spokesperson, Charlie Flanagan, has today (Tuesday) accused the Government of bullying its critics in relation to proposals to merge five agencies, the National Disability Authority, the Equality Authority, the Equality Tribunal, the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
“Examining the records of the five agencies in question, it is clear that they cover five areas where the Government is failing and these agencies have not hesitated to highlight Government ineptitude and violations in the areas of equality, human rights, data protection and disability rights.
“The Government has reacted to legitimate critiques of its record and approach by threatening to undermine and weaken the five agencies that it clearly sees as a thorn in its side.
“It is no secret that the Government was particularly angry with the IHRC for criticising its tacit support for extraordinary rendition. This proposed merger is clearly a message to other agencies: If you criticise us, you will pay a hefty price.”
This coming Thursday (October 2nd) Minister Ahern will be subjected to questions by Fine Gael about his proposals to merge the five agencies. Justice Spokesperson Charlie Flanagan further commented:
“It is essential that the Minister answers questions about why he is trying to weaken agencies put in place to protect the rights of the people of Ireland .
“Fine Gael has done extensive work on the role, function and productivity of Government agencies and we have highlighted those which are an unnecessary waste of taxpayers’ money. There is plenty of scope for the Government to save money by abolishing redundant quangos if it wishes.”
Contact your TDs today
Charlie Flanagan is a Fine Gael TD for Laois-Offaly. Find your TD by constitency here.
Tags: Bullying, Charlie Flanagan, Extraordinary Rendition, Fine Gael, Minister Ahern, Redundant Quangos, TD, TDs
Posted in Support from Oireachtas Members
