Equality Commission exudes Inequality - Allister
07 February 2007
Statement by Jim Allister MEP:
“The Equality Commission is supposed to exist to promote and improve equality of opportunity, particularly in employment, throughout Northern Ireland. Yet figures just released to me demonstrate lamentable failure by it to secure equality and an end to under-representation of Protestants within its own staff. As the figures below demonstrate the situation is getting worse year on year.
Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
Composition of Commission staff by Community background
Date Protestant Roman Catholic Non-Determined
1 January 2006 49 (35.0%) [38.0%] 80 (57.1%) [62.0%] 11 (7.9%)
1 January 2005 50 (38.8%) [40.7%] 73 (56.6%) [59.3%] 6 (4.7%)
1 January 2004 53 (38.1%) [40.2%] 79 (56.8%) [59.8%] 7 (5%)
31 January 2003 59 (41.2%) [43.7%] 76 (53.1%) [56.3%] 8 (5.6%)
31 January 2002 60 (42.3%) [44.1%] 76 (53.5%) [55.9%] 6 (4.2%)
31 January 2001 56 (40.9%) [43.4%] 73 (53.3%) [56.6%] 8 (5.8%)
* Figures in square brackets are for Protestant and Roman Catholic only
This is an appalling indictment of those so quick to rebuke other employers for lack of effective affirmative action. Though the Chief Commissioner has written to me claiming he is focussed on this issue, the on-going decline in Protestant employees within the Commission raises a fundamental issue as to its fitness for purpose.
I am calling on the Secretary of State to intervene forthwith and insist that the Equality Commission begins to practice what it preaches. I also intend to draw this disgraceful situation to the attention of the Commission in Brussels which claims an interest in promoting equality of opportunity throughout Europe.”
