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A Single Equality Bill for Whom? : from political rhetoric to equality for all

Debbie Kohner Equality Officer, CAJ

NICEM Annual Conference1 July 2011

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Plan

1. Chronology of Single Equality Bill (SEB) in Northern

Ireland (NI)

2. Political Rhetoric - Stalemate

3. Why a SEB is still necessary in NI

4. What we need in a SEB for NI

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The SEB in NI: a chronology• The First Executive

– 2001• Programme for Government• Open Consultation• Due to be law in 2003

– 2002• Delay in SEB schedule• Specific legislation to be introduced to address EU

Directives

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The SEB in NI: a chronology• The Assembly Suspended

– 2003• Panel of Experts• Informal Consultation

– 2004• Preliminary consultation• Green Paper on a SEB for NI - consultation

– 2006• Still analysing responses• Expect 18 months to prepare

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Chronology → Stalemate• The St Andrew’s Agreement

– Annex B commitment– March 2007 Pre-consultation on SEB

• 2007-11 Assembly– May 2007 motion for SEB– SEB team moved to other areas of work– Discrete legislation and policies– ‘No decision’ on SEB

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Stalemate - Political Rhetoric

• Political rhetoric– Words without action– Opposition to SEB

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DUP ManifestoEU elections 2009

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Stalemate - Political Rhetoric

• Political rhetoric– Words without action– Opposition to SEB

• Current Assembly– Majority of manifestos committed to SEB– SEB not expected in PfG– Discrete pieces of legislation more likely

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Why we need a SEB in NI

• Inconsistencies in NI equality law

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Why we need a SEB in NI

• Inconsistencies in NI equality law

• Complexity of NI equality law

• Concerns over access to justice

• International imperatives

• NI equality law is incomplete

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What we need for SEB in NI• Harmonise, strengthen and simplify NI

equality law

• Not direct import of GB Equality Act

• Build on local work and consultations

• Learn from GB successes and challenges

• Find a local solution to a local context

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Any questions?

Thank you

Debbie Kohner

Equality Programme Officer, CAJ

debbie@caj.org.uk