Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014

• Permanent Page URL

Provision of information to public, review of operation of certain enactments, etc.

30. (1) The Commission shall—

(a) provide information to the public and keep under review the effectiveness of any enactments relating to the protection and promotion of human rights and equality, and

(b) without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), provide information to the public and keep under review the effectiveness of the working of—

(i) the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2011,

(ii) the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2012, and

(iii) section 19 of the Act of 2003, and, whenever it thinks necessary, make proposals to the Minister for amending any of the enactments referred to in paragraphs (a)and (b).

(2) The Commission may, if it thinks fit, and shall, if requested by the Minister, carry out a review of the working or effect of any enactment referred to in subsection (1) and may make such recommendations as it sees fit following such review.

(3) The Commission shall keep under review the working of the Pensions Act 1990 in so far as it relates to the principle of equal treatment and may, whenever it thinks necessary, make recommendations to the Minister for Social Protection in relation to that Act.

(4) Where in the opinion of the Commission the working or effect of any of the enactments for the time being specified in subsections (1) to (4) of section 17 of the Act of 1998 or of any provision contained in or made under any such enactments is likely to affect or impede the elimination of discrimination in relation to employment or the promotion of equality of opportunity in relation to employment—

(a) between men and women, or

(b) between persons who differ in terms of any of the other discriminatory grounds,

the Commission may, if it thinks fit, and shall if so requested by the Minister carry out a review of the enactment concerned or a provision of it or of its working or effect.

(5) For the purposes of assisting it in carrying out a review under this section, the Commission shall consult such persons, groups and organisations (including organisations of trades unions and of employers) as it considers appropriate.

(6) Where the Commission carries out a review under this section, it—

(a) may, or

(b) shall—

(i) where the Minister has requested the review, or

(ii) where the Minister for Social Protection has requested the review pursuant to subsection (3), make a report of the review to the Minister.

(7) A report under subsection (6) may include such recommendations (including recommendations for the amendment of any enactment or any provision of it that is the subject of the review) as the Commission considers necessary.