‘Screened Out Without Mitigation’ Returning Equality in Northern Ireland to the Margins
27 June, 2025
This report examines how the statutory equality duties under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, as well as the use of the ‘call-in’ mechanism, are operating within Northern Ireland’s 11 local councils. Authored by independent researcher Dr Robbie McVeigh and commissioned by the Equality Coalition, the report provides background on the legacy of sectarian discrimination in local government,...
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Submission in relation to the ECNI draft legal assistance policy
1 September, 2021
The Equality Coalition for NI (ECNI) recently consulted on their new (draft) Policy for the Provision of Legal Advice and Assistance. In response, we produced this submission suggesting a number of changes to the draft document. Our recommendations focus primarily on encouraging ECNI to use their enforcement powers strategically and proactively going forwards.
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Generic submission to draft equality schemes out for consultation in 2021
1 August, 2021
Since the advent of Section 75, the Equality Coalition has engaged extensively with public authorities in relation to their equality schemes. In 2016, when a number of reorganised public authorities were consulting on their schemes, we drafted a generic submission to provide advice to them on best practice. This submission has now been updated for 2021 as a number of public bodies...
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Submission on Programme for Government outcomes and draft budget
1 February, 2021
We have finalised our submission on the Programme for Government (PfG) outcomes and draft budget (including departmental screenings/EQIAs). Given their interlinking nature, this submission responds to a number of different, concurrent consultations at once. Our submission examines the rights and equality implications of current plans, including whether the Section 75 statutory equality duty has been applied adequately throughout the budgetary process. We...
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Response to consultation on ECNI’s complaints and investigation procedures
2 May, 2019
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) has been reviewing and revising the procedures related to its enforcement (investigation) powers. These powers enable ECNI to investigate public bodies that fail to comply with their Section 75 duties. In March 2019, ECNI launched a public consultation on its (draft) ‘Revised Policy and Procedures for Complaints and Investigations’. The Equality Coalition responded...
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Complaint to Equality Commission under paragraph 10 directly affected pro forma
16 August, 2016
The Equality Coalition has produced the following template for those wishing to make an equality scheme complaint to the Equality Commission under paragraph 10. Please make sure to double check that all paragraphs are the same number as those in the public authority scheme under which you are complaining before sending. This submission on the proper application of Section 75 can be...
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Equality Scheme Complaint failure to consult pro forma
1 August, 2016
The Equality Coalition has produced the following template for those wishing to make an equality scheme complaint regarding the failure to consult. Please make sure to double check that all paragraphs are the same number as those in the public authority scheme under which you are complaining before sending. This submission on the proper application of Section 75 can be used as...
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Equality Scheme Complaint failure to screen IN pro forma
1 August, 2016
The Equality Coalition has produced the following template for those wishing to make an equality scheme complaint regarding the failure to screen in a draft policy. Please make sure to double check that all paragraphs are the same number as those in the public authority scheme under which you are complaining before sending. This submission on the proper application of Section...
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Equality Scheme Complaint failure to screen pro forma
1 August, 2016
The Equality Coalition has produced the following templates for those wishing to make an equality scheme complaint regarding the failure to equality screen a draft policy. Please make sure to double check that all paragraphs are the same number as those in the public authority scheme under which you are complaining before sending. This submission on the proper application of Section...
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Equality Scheme Complaint lack of EQIA pro forma
1 August, 2016
The Equality Coalition has produced the following template for those wishing to make an equality scheme complaint regarding the failure to conduct an EQIA. Please make sure to double check that all paragraphs are the same number as those in the public authority scheme under which you are complaining before sending. This submission on the proper application of Section 75 can be...
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Equality Scheme Complaint EQIA not properly done pro forma
The Equality Coalition has produced the following template for those wishing to make an equality scheme complaint if an equality impact assessment (EQIA) has not been properly conducted. Please make sure to double check that all paragraphs are the same number as those in the public authority scheme under which you are complaining before sending. This submission on the proper application...
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