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Home About Us Services Publications Information FAQs Events Speech Archive Anti-Racist Workplace Week Worklife Balance Day Say No To Ageism Week European Year of Equal Opportunities 2007 Other Events Photo Gallery Research Equality Mainstreaming Unit Links Contact Us Translations Sitemap Gaeilge	Address by Dr Angela Kerins, Chairperson, The Equality Authority, at the launch of the Equality Authority's Strategic Plan 2009-2011 Wednesday March 4th 2009 Good Morning Everyone I am very pleased to welcome so many old friends of the Authority, and to also welcome so many new faces here today. As many of you know, the Authority is required under legislation to prepare a new Strategic Plan every three years, which sets out our goals for the next three years. It gives me great pleasure to launch this morning our Strategic Plan for 2009-2011, entitled Equality for All in a time of Change and at the outset I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the significant work and that our staff and board members, both past and present, did in bringing this plan to you today. In preparing the Strategic Plan we held public consultations around the country and we received many written submissions and contributions, all of which we value greatly. We have listened, and this plan reflects what we have heard. It is ambitious, it is bold, it provides clear vision for our future and we are committed to achieving it. It is important when planning for the future to take stock. The ten years since the government enacted the Equality legislation have seen a period of great change. Our workforce, customer base, and society has hugely diversified over this period. Our legislation was at the time, ground-breaking, and it still remains very relevant. Partnerships between government, state agencies, voluntary and community organisations, employers, trade unions and the media, have been the bedrock of growing awareness that equality is essential for a productive and fair society. Many people have contributed to the changes in attitudes and to the increased awareness of equality issues that now prevails. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the many organisations and people, often unsung heroes, who have brought equality to where it is today. I would like to thank our distinguished guest John FitzGerald, who set the scene for us so well this morning. One of the key messages which should not be lost in times of economic difficulty is that equality of opportunity makes both a positive economic and social contribution. We now more than ever must maintain momentum in achieving our common goal of dignity and respect for all. The downturn is already having an impact across society. We must remain alert and be ready to respond decisively to any challenges to equality. We have had a significant cutback in our budget. This may limit what we spend but not what we can achieve.The Equality Authority's vision for an equal society is clear and strong and we will pursue this with leadership, passion and vigour. To achieve this ambition we continue to value and rely on your participation. Our doors are open, our commitment renewed, and our invitation to all who wish to work with us in the pursuit of the goals of this Strategic Plan, is sincere and welcoming. Let there be no doubt that the equality agenda and the work of the Equality Authority is owned by every man, woman, and child in Ireland. We are determined that everyone who has an interest in our work will feel a part of it, and that no one will feel that this Authority does not have a real concern about an issue which affects their dignity or their equality. My hope is that more people will participate in the work of the Equality Authority, thereby broadening its reach, reinforcing its worth and contributing to its success in the delivery of this Strategic Plan. Our plan sets out our 6 strategic goals, how we will achieve them, and how we will measure that achievement. We have also identified 7 key priority areas and we will deliver on those. We will promote greater awareness of rights and responsibilities. We value and will further develop our engagement with the European Institutions, including the Commission and our fellow equality bodies in other EU member States. We will pursue our legal work with vigour. We will continue to offer leadership in the development of European equality law and practice. We will not only draw on our own experience and achievements in advancing case law, but will also cite the great work and learning of others. In acknowledging people here today I would like to recognise the support of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern T.D., for this plan and I also thank his Department officials and agencies for their ongoing cooperation and assistance and their work both in Ireland and internationally in the whole area of equality and anti- discrimination. The Board of the Equality Authority recognises and appreciates fully its responsibility to ensure an independent, efficient and effective Authority that will provide a quality service provision while achieving value for money. We are confident that through effective use of resources and a 'can do' attitude, we can fully deliver on the ambitions set out in this Plan. This is a very important point as there have been a number of misleading comments that the Authority is either defunct or ineffective. These misleading statements have caused grave uncertainty for those experiencing discrimination at this very moment. On behalf of the Authority I want to assure everyone that the Authority is very much open for business and eager to pursue equality with vigour and determination. Although we are only two months into 2009, early indications are that this will be a busy year. There is a strong consumer demand for our services. Last month alone calls to our information centre are up on the same month last year as are our number of casefiles. The early indications now are that not only we will meet targets we have set out in our Strategy but we may exceed them. Let there be no mistake we shall continue to pursue, without fear or favour, anyone who would discriminate against some of the weakest sections of our society. We will continue to challenge those who would settle for a world where for instance, if you happen to have a disability, or are a pensioner, or are gay, or a Traveller that it's ok to treat you as a second class citizen. We will continue to fight for equality for all of us, recognising that no one person deserves to be treated more favourably than another because of the colour of their skin, or the God they believe in. The Equality Authority is here and ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with those who share our concerns and our dreams of dignity and equality for all in a time of change. Thank you	Search Tick the box to search just the current location and its sublocations Advanced Search

Address by Dr Angela Kerins, Chairperson, The Equality Authority, at the launch of the Equality Authority's Strategic Plan 2009-2011

Wednesday March 4th 2009

Good Morning Everyone

I am very pleased to welcome so many old friends of the Authority, and to also welcome so many new faces here today. As many of you know, the Authority is required under legislation to prepare a new Strategic Plan every three years, which sets out our goals for the next three years. It gives me great pleasure to launch this morning our Strategic Plan for 2009-2011, entitled Equality for All in a time of Change and at the outset I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the significant work and that our staff and board members, both past and present, did in bringing this plan to you today.

In preparing the Strategic Plan we held public consultations around the country and we received many written submissions and contributions, all of which we value greatly. We have listened, and this plan reflects what we have heard. It is ambitious, it is bold, it provides clear vision for our future and we are committed to achieving it.

It is important when planning for the future to take stock. The ten years since the government enacted the Equality legislation have seen a period of great change. Our workforce, customer base, and society has hugely diversified over this period. Our legislation was at the time, ground-breaking, and it still remains very relevant. Partnerships between government, state agencies, voluntary and community organisations, employers, trade unions and the media, have been the bedrock of growing awareness that equality is essential for a productive and fair society.

Many people have contributed to the changes in attitudes and to the increased awareness of equality issues that now prevails. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the many organisations and people, often unsung heroes, who have brought equality to where it is today.

I would like to thank our distinguished guest John FitzGerald, who set the scene for us so well this morning. One of the key messages which should not be lost in times of economic difficulty is that equality of opportunity makes both a positive economic and social contribution.

We now more than ever must maintain momentum in achieving our common goal of dignity and respect for all. The downturn is already having an impact across society. We must remain alert and be ready to respond decisively to any challenges to equality.

We have had a significant cutback in our budget. This may limit what we spend but not what we can achieve.The Equality Authority's vision for an equal society is clear and strong and we will pursue this with leadership, passion and vigour. To achieve this ambition we continue to value and rely on your participation. Our doors are open, our commitment renewed, and our invitation to all who wish to work with us in the pursuit of the goals of this Strategic Plan, is sincere and welcoming.

Let there be no doubt that the equality agenda and the work of the Equality Authority is owned by every man, woman, and child in Ireland. We are determined that everyone who has an interest in our work will feel a part of it, and that no one will feel that this Authority does not have a real concern about an issue which affects their dignity or their equality.

My hope is that more people will participate in the work of the Equality Authority, thereby broadening its reach, reinforcing its worth and contributing to its success in the delivery of this Strategic Plan.

Our plan sets out our 6 strategic goals, how we will achieve them, and how we will measure that achievement. We have also identified 7 key priority areas and we will deliver on those. We will promote greater awareness of rights and responsibilities. We value and will further develop our engagement with the European Institutions, including the Commission and our fellow equality bodies in other EU member States.
We will pursue our legal work with vigour. We will continue to offer leadership in the development of European equality law and practice. We will not only draw on our own experience and achievements in advancing case law, but will also cite the great work and learning of others.

In acknowledging people here today I would like to recognise the support of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern T.D., for this plan and I also thank his Department officials and agencies for their ongoing cooperation and assistance and their work both in Ireland and internationally in the whole area of equality and anti- discrimination.

The Board of the Equality Authority recognises and appreciates fully its responsibility to ensure an independent, efficient and effective Authority that will provide a quality service provision while achieving value for money. We are confident that through effective use of resources and a 'can do' attitude, we can fully deliver on the ambitions set out in this Plan.

This is a very important point as there have been a number of misleading comments that the Authority is either defunct or ineffective. These misleading statements have caused grave uncertainty for those experiencing discrimination at this very moment. On behalf of the Authority I want to assure everyone that the Authority is very much open for business and eager to pursue equality with vigour and determination.

Although we are only two months into 2009, early indications are that this will be a busy year. There is a strong consumer demand for our services. Last month alone calls to our information centre are up on the same month last year as are our number of casefiles. The early indications now are that not only we will meet targets we have set out in our Strategy but we may exceed them.

Let there be no mistake we shall continue to pursue, without fear or favour, anyone who would discriminate against some of the weakest sections of our society. We will continue to challenge those who would settle for a world where for instance, if you happen to have a disability, or are a pensioner, or are gay, or a Traveller that it's ok to treat you as a second class citizen.

We will continue to fight for equality for all of us, recognising that no one person deserves to be treated more favourably than another because of the colour of their skin, or the God they believe in. The Equality Authority is here and ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with those who share our concerns and our dreams of dignity and equality for all in a time of change.

Thank you