Speaking Notes Angela Kerins, Chairperson
Address by Angela Kerins, Chairperson
Equality Authority
Launch of Equality Authority 2009 Annual Report, 12 July 2010
Minister ladies and gentlemen
We are delighted to welcome so many of you, to the launch this morning, of the Equality Authority's Annual Report 2009. We decided to organise this event a little differently this year and use the opportunity, not only to lay our report before you, but also to showcase some of the talents of people from among the 9 grounds covered by the equality legislation. I am sure not only will you enjoy the music but hopefully you will also take the time to consider the richness of the diversity of our society.
I would like to especially welcome Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, Pat Carey T.D. here this morning. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your new post. We in the Authority look forward to working with you in promoting diversity and challenging discrimination, as now more than ever the needs of people who experience inequality must be prioritised.
I would like to take this opportunity to mention Civil Partnership. Without doubt it has been an exciting week for equality in Ireland. Late last Thursday evening, the Civil Partnership Bill passed all stages in the Oireachtas. This is a historic step for Ireland and represents a key milestone in the progressive realisation of the rights of gay and lesbian couples. This could not have been achieved if it were not for the very significant hard work of all of the representative groups, Minister Dermot Ahern and his department officials.
The Annual Report that we are launching today documents the work last year of the Equality Authority . 2009 was a very challenging time for the organisation. However, notwithstanding this, the Authority had a successful year and achieved and in some cases exceeded its targets. It is important to say that these targets were set in the Strategic Plan 2009 to 2011, before the cuts in funding and were not altered.
In 2009 the Authority responded to more than 8,000 enquiries from the public, a total of 878 case files were processed, with 213 new case files being opened and 658 case files closed. In addition, the Equality Authority engaged in broader consultation and outreach with stakeholder bodies to ensure that we had a comprehensive understanding of the issues on the ground, the work being done and the gaps that needed to be addressed.
The successful outcomes are a testament to the huge commitment of members of the Board, our partners and stakeholders but most particularly to the dedication and professionalism of the Equality Authority team, ably led by Chief Executive Renee Dempsey.
Over the past 18 months we - as a society - have been forced to cope with exceptionally harsh impacts of a national and global recession. For example -
- Young people, particularly young men, one third of whom are unemployed, are suffering greatly as a result of this recession.
- Older workers who find themselves unemployed find it particularly difficult to get new employment.
- People with disabilities who experienced over 60% unemployment in the good times are now at risk of 70 to 80% unemployment.
- Public services have been subject to cutbacks and it would seem more cuts are on the way.
- More and more small and large business have closed and
- More people are experiencing racial discrimination.
However there are many many people within the public, private and not for profit sectors that are doing great work and have achieved great results. We must all ensure that we recognise the really good things that are happening and communicate them, connecting people and groups to create synergies and maximise effect. The Equality Authority intends to continue to work with stakeholders and also play a central role in actively monitoring new policy decisions and raising awareness of their impact on equality.
We are all aware that we have to do more with less. However it is essential for the fabric of our society to equality proof recession measures at all levels from government down. Inequality stymies personal development, it erodes self esteem, it cuts at the heart of creative endeavour, it would weaken society, it would make us unattractive internationally in areas such as enterprise, and tourism. At a time when we need to pull together, if we are not careful, inequality might pull us apart.
A society which embraces diversity and encourages individual skills and ambitions is a smart society. Therefore, rather than being an optional extra in times of prosperity, I believe that our commitment, as a society, to equality and essential fairness will not only be beneficial to us all, but will also be a key element of our economic revival and future advantage.
In conclusion I believe that change can bring opportunity and in this period of change we in the Authority have experienced the unleashing of talent, renewed vigour, motivation, the drive to work in new and smarter ways, to collaborate, to achieve, to be flexible, relevant and responsive as well as anticipating and branching into exciting new areas of activity with our stakeholders.
Our targets have been achieved by a greater focus on partnership, identification of synergies with other organisations and the dedication of our staff and Board to achieve more with less. We have worked on the essential principle that it is not what we spend but it is what we achieve and how we achieve it that counts".
I hope that you enjoy the rest of the morning and it now gives me great pleasure to invite, Pat Carey T D , Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs to address you ,and to officially launch, the 2009 Equality Authority Annual Report.
Related articles:- Annual Report 2009
The Annual Report for the Equality Authority for the year 2009
- Equality Authority Annual Report 2009 Launched
Press Release - 12 Jul 2010
- Speaking Notes Minister Pat Carey TD
Address by the Minister of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr. Pat Carey, T.D., at the launch of the Equality Authority's Annual Report for 2009 on 12th July 2010
- Speaking Notes Renee Dempsey, Chief Executive Officer
Address by Renee Dempsey, Chief Executive Officer, at the launch of the Equality Authority's Annual Report for 2009 on 12th July 2010
