Research and Information Service Research Paper August 2011 Michael Potter Equality and Human Rights Legislation in Northern Ireland: A Review NIAR 313-11 This paper reviews equality and human rights legislation in Northern Ireland in the light of European Union and international obligations. Paper 75/11 8 August 2011 Research and Information Service briefings are compiled for the benefit of MLAs and their support staff. Authors are available to discuss the contents of these papers with Members and their staff but cannot advise members of the general public. We do, however, welcome written evidence that relate to our papers and these should be sent to the Research and Information Service, Northern Ireland Assembly, Room 139, Parliament Buildings, Belfast BT4 3XX or e-mailed to
[email protected] NIAR 313-011 Equality and Human Rights Legislation in Northern Ireland Key Points Existing equality protections in Northern Ireland are extensive. However, whilst the recent trend in equality legislation in Great Britain, Ireland and the EU is to streamline standards into a single piece of law or at least fewer individual legislative Acts, in Northern Ireland equality legislation remains unconsolidated, diverse and uneven in implementation. Development of single equality legislation has the potential to standardise the level of protection across equality grounds and may also be less complex, easier to understand and easier to amend. It is also argued, however, that the process may result in an increased regulatory burden in both the public and private sector. A Single Equality Bill to harmonise and update the disparate equality legislation in Northern Ireland has been considered in the past, but since a consultation exercise in 2004 and a ministerial statement in 2005 there have been no further public developments.