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A Single Equality Bill for Whom? : from political rhetoric to equality for all. Debbie Kohner Equality Officer, CAJ. NICEM Annual Conference 1 July 2011. Chronology of Single Equality Bill (SEB) in Northern Ireland (NI) Political Rhetoric - Stalemate Why a SEB is still necessary in NI
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A Single Equality Bill for Whom? : from political rhetoric to equality for all Debbie Kohner Equality Officer, CAJ NICEM Annual Conference 1 July 2011
Chronology of Single Equality Bill (SEB) in Northern Ireland (NI) Political Rhetoric - Stalemate Why a SEB is still necessary in NI What we need in a SEB for NI Plan
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 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 The SEB in NI: a chronology
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 Chronology → Stalemate
Political rhetoric Words without action Opposition to SEB Stalemate - Political Rhetoric
DUP Manifesto EU elections 2009
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 Stalemate - Political Rhetoric
Inconsistencies in NI equality law 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 Why we need a 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 What we need for SEB in NI
Thank you Debbie Kohner Equality Programme Officer, CAJ debbie@caj.org.uk Any questions?