Govt plans to merge equality and rights agencies opposed

Government plans to merge five equality and rights agencies are being met with increased opposition.

The proposed move would see the amalgamation of the Equality Authority, the Equality Tribunal, the Human Rights Commission, the Data Protection Commission and the National Disability Authority.

A newly formed coalition of 40 civil society groups have come together to oppose the plan under the banner of the 'Equality and Rights Alliance'.

Director of the National Women's Council Joanna McMinn said the merger would create problems.

"The Equality Authority is very much a promotional body and provides assistance to people who are taking cases so clearly there would be a conflict of interest if those two agencies were merged," she said.