Equality chief's resignation 'a courageous stance'

Equality Authority chief Niall Crowley’s resignation over a funding cut was a principled and courageous stance, rights groups claimed today.

The former chief executive said the 43% reduction to its almost €6m budget made his position untenable and the body no longer viable.

Mr Crowley claimed the organisation was being victimised and silenced as it had become a threat to Government over its work tackling discrimination, particularly in the public sector.

But a spokesman for Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said he makes no apologies for funding cuts to boost garda resources in tackling crime.

The Equality and Rights Alliance, a coalition of 71 organisations, said it deeply regretted Mr Crowley’s decision to stand down but the move reflected his integrity and honesty.

Joanna McMinn, ERA chairwoman, said: “The work of the Equality Authority has been fatally compromised and it is not in keeping with his uncompromising belief in equality and rights to remain as head of an agency which is effectively a lame duck.

“To express confidence that the authority can carry on in a limited and prioritised way is to fly in the face of facts.”

Trade union Impact backed Mr Crowley’s stance, with official Louise O’Donnell, also a member of the authority’s board, saying she would have to consider her position when the board meets next.

The union claimed the Government had abandoned its anti-discrimination responsibilities.

“Mr Crowley is a totally dedicated and thoroughly professional champion of equal opportunities,” Ms O’Donnell said.

“His absolute integrity inevitably meant occasional conflicts with public service organisations and, as a result, the authority became an irritant to some ministers and senior civil servants.

“The price will be paid by tens of thousands of people who depend on an effective equality body for protection against unlawful discrimination.”

Mr Crowley, who was on a €140,000 salary, made the decision to step down after a meeting with Mr Ahern at which a request from the body to cut funding by just over 30% was turned down.

In a letter to chairwoman of the authority’s board Angela Kerins, Mr Crowley said the rationale given by Mr Ahern that he was prioritising crime did not stand up.

He pointed to cuts in other agencies not linked to tackling crime, also rolled out in last October’s Budget, such as the National Disability Authority which saw just a 2% slash in funding and the Legal Aid Board which suffered a 1% reduction.

He claimed the body was being victimised for tackling discrimination, particularly in the public sector.

“The only credible explanation I can see for what has been done to the Equality Authority appears to be that the casework strategy implemented by it, particularly in relation to allegations of discrimination in the public sector, has been experienced as a threat by senior civil servants and/or Government,” Mr Crowley wrote.

“It would further appear that the independent voice of the Equality Authority has had to be silenced for becoming an awkward witness to the inequality and discrimination in our society.

“The Equality Authority is being victimised for doing well what it was established to do.”

He also said plans to decentralise the office to Roscrea, Co Tipperary, undermined the authority as staff were not in a position to move.

But a spokesman for Mr Ahern hit back claiming funding cuts were rolled out to boost garda resources.

“These are very tough times and the Minister makes no apologies for implementing funding reductions in order to maintain frontline Garda services targeted against crime and in particular gangland criminals,” he said.

“As it is, the Minister has had to axe €20m from the garda overtime budget next year so cuts to the authority has to be seen against that backdrop.”

The spokesman also said if the body decentralised to Roscrea it would be able to operate under its reduced budget as rents would be lower.

“The Minister would prefer not to have to make funding cuts but we are faced with new circumstances,” he said.

“We all need to get on with the job.”

The Equality and Rights Alliance, which formed to oppose the merger of equality and rights bodies, said the authority is regarded across Europe as an outstanding example of an effective, independent and successful anti-discrimination agency.

“We hope that the leadership and courage he has shown will prompt a review of the injury that Government members and policy makers have been allowed to inflict on the equality and human rights infrastructure,” Ms McMinn said.