Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will introduce equality proofing of legislation and policy initiatives that come from him. [11512/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Enhancing equality and social development is central to the work of my Department, including, for instance, in the areas of housing and community development. The Department has a strong commitment to evidence-based policy formulation and uses the full range of tools and techniques to assess the impacts of policies and programmes at all stages of decision-making and legislative development.

It is a fundamental requirement that policy decisions must not contravene equality, anti-discrimination and human rights law. All legislative proposals are carefully scrutinised for compliance with this code. There is also public consultation and engagement with equality interests where relevant in development of policy and legislation. Regulatory impact analysis is undertaken for all key new legislative proposals and includes an assessment of impacts on equality under a range of headings as part of a comprehensive review of all potential impacts to ensure policy coherence.

Any changes to the current systems for equality-proofing of legislation and policy initiatives are best approached on a whole-of-Government basis. I remain committed to ensuring future policy initiatives and legislation developed by my Department enhance rather than detract from equality in our society and for citizens.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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My party seeks meaningful equality-proofing across all areas of policy formulation and decision-making whether in programmes for addressing waste management or housing, support for the community and voluntary sector, or the need to provide greater access to training for jobs in alternative energy, to name but a few. It is important to address the gender impacts of any measures to address these issues and to ensure they are fully consistent with the principles of equality of access and outcomes. We propose the introduction of equality-proofing of all law and policy and the imposition of a legal duty to promote equality, equivalent to that in operation in the Six Counties. Does the Minister intend to bring forward any legislation in this area in the near future?

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department, together with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Health and Children, is taking part in a pilot to test guidelines for proofing proposals regarding disability prepared by the Department of Justice and Equality, which is the lead Department in regard to equality issues. We will await the outcome of this pilot programme which involves cross-cutting issues relevant to various Departments. I take on board the suggestions the Deputy made. We will examine section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 which places a statutory obligation on Northern Ireland Departments and local authorities to have due regard, in carrying out their functions, to the need to promote equality of opportunity.