Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
989. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way that his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit met their obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 in 2021, including the way that relevant policies and actions are monitored and the way that the obligation is reflected in their annual reports. [41370/22]
View answerMy Department is fully committed to promoting a fair and equal workplace for our people and, in particular, to our obligations under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014.
Equality and respect for human rights are fundamental values of my Department, both as a policy objective and in the performance of its functions. The fostering of a positive working environment is a guiding principle for the implementation of our strategic objectives.
Under the Department of Foreign Affairs' HR Strategy 2019-2022, there is a strong focus on gender equality, equality, diversity and inclusion, and as such, the Strategy is a key vehicle for DFA to implement the Public Sector Human Rights and Equality Duty.
A number of specific policies and action plans have been developed through the HR Strategy to progress Gender Equality across the Department. These include the publication of a third iteration of the Gender Pay Gap report in 2021, which included a new action plan to reduce the gender pay gap.
The Department has also established a new informal inter-Departmental group on the gender pay gap, aimed at sharing best practice around measures to tackle the gap and improve gender equality across Departments.
My Department is committed to proofing our policies, procedures and services across our business areas to ensure that we comply with our requirements in the area of human rights and equality. To this end, the Statement of Strategy 2021-23 commits my Department to conduct an assessment of the human rights and equality issues relevant to its functions. This will enable us to identify further concrete actions that can be taken to ensure that we comply with our obligations under the 2014 Act.
There are no bodies or agencies under the remit of my Department.
