Ireland can lead EU on equality — but first we must get our own legislation in order

Ireland's EU presidency will be a chance to show leadership in terms of tolerance and fairness, writes Liam Herrick

IHREC chief commissioner Liam Herrick argues that the potential costs of not including socioeconomic discrimination in the Equality Bill will be greater than the cost of including it. iStock

At the Dublin Pride Parade this year, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “Ireland will continue to be a place where equality grows.”

In doing so, the Taoiseach recognised that across the EU we are now witnessing a resurgence of homophobia, and a number of European governments are attempting to undermine democratic institutions. His comments followed the banning of the pride parade in Hungary.