Ms Emily Logan:

There were about six questions. Deputy Donnelly's first one was about who should do equality budgeting. He mentioned institutional independence, with which I agree. Autonomy gives one freedom to comment in a different way. We see ourselves occupying a different space in civil society to that of NGOs. Deputy Donnelly mentioned the ESRI. If I sound reluctant to answer that question, it is largely because Dr. Murphy and I represent one of 15. In terms of our institutional independence, we are open-minded. Would that be fair to say, Dr. Murphy? I am trying to consider our staff because it is easy for me to say yes to these things without committing, but more to the fundamental issue of the independent nature of that commentary, rather than what Deputy Donnelly described as a very obviously politicised commentary.

Regarding the five dimensions, Dr. Murphy is probably the best person to ask. When we went before the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, we referred to gender equality, disability, minority groups and Roma and Traveller groups, so we referred to specific groups that have the potential to be disproportionately affected by any budget. They may be at the margins, but any policy decision may disproportionately affect them or push them further into the margins. They were some of the groups that I thought of. Dr. Murphy, would you add to that? Deputy Donnelly asked if we were to pick five, which ones might we pick.