Alan Shatter TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, has announced the names of 14 new members designate of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC). The persons nominated were selected by an independent Selection Panel set up for that purpose. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter said, "In October 2011, the Government agreed in principle to merge the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority into an enhanced Human Rights and Equality Commission. The purpose of this change is to promote human rights and equality issues in a more efficient, effective and coherent way. The objective of this body will be to champion human rights, including the right to equality.
Congress has expressed once again its disappointment that no trade union person has been selected and feels a body with responsibility for workplace equality will suffer as a result of that exclusion. See our original submission on these and other issues facing the new body here
