Good Friday Committee to discuss report on the impact of Brexit on the divergence of rights and best practice on the island of Ireland

The following representatives are due to appear:

• Sinéad Gibney, Chief Commissioner, Irish Human Rights Equality Commission (IHREC)
• Alyson Kilpatrick, Chief Commissioner, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC)
• Geraldine McGahey OBE, Chief Commissioner, Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI)

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Fergus O’Dowd TD said: ““We welcome the opportunity to discuss this important joint publication by the Commissioners."

 “The three Commissions have been mandated to oversee and report on the implications of Brexit for rights and equality on the island of Ireland. A key focus of their work is in relation to Article 2 of what is now the Windsor Framework, previously known as the Northern Ireland Protocol."

“In Article 2, the UK Government commits explicitly to ensuring that no diminution of certain rights, safeguards or equality of opportunity, as set out in the relevant chapter of the Good Friday Agreement, arises from its withdrawal from the EU. In recognition of the key role that EU anti-discrimination law has played in underpinning the provisions on equal treatment in the Agreement."

“Their research has found that while EU membership has allowed for alignment on human rights across the island of Ireland, there is some divergence post Brexit as some proposed EU laws such as the Work Life Balance Directive and the European Accessibility Act are not required to be implemented in Northern Ireland.”

"We look forward to discussing how to ensure there is no diminution of rights for people living in Northern Ireland and indeed across the island post Brexit.”

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.