The #Add The 10th Alliance welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Consultation on the Review of the Equality Acts.
#Add The 10th Alliance includes a number of organisations which have come together to highlight the urgent need for the inclusion of socio-economic status as a ground in Irish equality legislation. The current Alliance members include:
- All Together in Dignity Ireland,
- Association for Higher Education Access & Disability,
- Community Action Network,
- Free Legal Advice Centres,
- European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland,
- Independent Living Movement Ireland
- Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed.
Many of the organisations were previously members of the Equality and Rights Alliance.
The member organisations of the Alliance have a close connection to the people and communities they represent. They see first-hand the impact of discrimination and inequality on people and communities experiencing socio-economic disadvantage and the lack of protection offered by Irish equality legislation. It is this connection and experience that provides the basis for the expertise the Alliance members bring to this submission. It is also this connection and experience that provides the strong motivation among Alliance members to reverse an inequality in Irish equality legislation that has existed for over two decades and to improve the situation for the people and communities they represent.
“Equal rights depend on the person at the opposite side of the table… The table between us …it’s a hierarchy. With so many people, there’s a difference between us.
I’ve been in these situations with people where they haven’t treated me as equal.” While the focus of the Alliance is on ensuring the inclusion of socio-economic discrimination in Irish equality legislation, members are also very aware of the intersection of this form of discrimination with other grounds already covered in legislation. Members are also clear on the need to strengthen equality legislation and its implementation so that it is effective in protecting people from discrimination and promoting and strengthening equality.
At the outset, we wish to acknowledge that 20 years ago, the introduction of this legislation was very welcome as a radical step in the direction of making us, as a society, better equipped to deal with issues of discrimination. Where it has worked well, it has helped some of those named under the nine grounds to know that they do not have to live with discrimination.
To find out more, click # Add the 10th Alliance – Submission to DCEDIY Consulatation on the Review of the Equality Acts to download the full text.
