Major setback in fight against inequality

THE resignation of Niall Crowley as chief executive of the Equality Authority is a significant setback in the fight for equality and social inclusion in this country.

The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) empathises with Mr Crowley’s decision and supports his principled stance in such difficult circumstances.

The decision was in keeping with the integrity consistently displayed by Mr Crowley over his past 10 years at the helm of the Equality Authority. Over this period he has made an outstanding contribution to the fight against poverty and inequality in Ireland and he will be sorely missed.

As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is a sad day when the CEO of one of the bodies expressly charged with promoting rights and equality saw no option but to resign.

The decisions concerning not just the authority but the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI), the Combat Poverty Agency and the Irish Human Rights Commission raise serious questions about the Government’s commitment to promoting rights and equality.

Given the current economic context, the need for such a key organisation to challenge inequality and tackle issues such as racism and xenophobia is even more acute today.

Sr Stanislaus Kennedy

Immigrant Council of Ireland

2 St Andrew Street

Dublin 2