Madam, - The National Women's Council of Ireland, representing 500,000 Irish women, has a strong mandate in a country of two million Mná na hÉireann. The NWCI has joined over 45 other civil society groups in the Equality and Rights Alliance (ERA).
The ERA campaign is gathering support daily as ordinary citizens realise that their rights will be affected by the Government's proposal to merge the Equality Authority and Irish Human Rights Commission with the Equality Tribunal, Data Protection Commission and the National Disability Authority.
What is the point in being a member of the EU, which introduces progressive legislation in equality and human rights, if the Government decides to target the fledgling voices of the representatives of the most vulnerable members in society as a "response" to the economic downturn? It makes no sense that the bodies which have helped enhance Ireland's international ranking and reputation should be arbitrarily merged.
Why does the Government wish to minimise advocacy rights for older people, families, children, people with disabilities, carers, immigrants, workers, Travellers, gay and lesbian people, women and pretty much anyone who may experience discrimination?
Pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment and gender pay gaps are still prevalent. The Equality Authority has effectively represented many women on these issues; and only recently we saw the case of Phyllis Fahy, awarded compensation after being refused a car loan because of her age.
This misguided proposal to rationalise agencies with singularly separate remits defies all democratic principles; and it will not significantly assist the Department of Finance's wish to secure necessary savings in 2008 and the proposed submissions for the Estimates of Expenditure 2009-2011. Indeed, a "super body" will most likely cost more.
So why then rationalise these agencies at all? Cui bono?
- Yours, etc,
AILEEN HEVERIN, Women of North East Galway;
BREDA RAGGETT, Irish Countrywomen's Association;
CLARE TREACY, Irish Nurses Organisation;
ELLEN O'MALLEY-DUNLOP, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre;
ISOBEL BUTLER, AIM Family Services;
KATE MORGAN, Second Chance Education Project for Women;
KATHLEEN O'SULLIVAN, Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland;
MAURA BUTLER, Irish Women Lawyers' Association;
NUSHA YONKOVA, Immigrant Council of Ireland;
THERESE MURPHY, ESBOA;
JOANNA McMINN, Director, National Women's Council of Ireland, Marlborough Court, Dublin 1.