Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty

In accordance with section 42(1) of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, public bodies shall, in the performance of its functions, have regard to the need to

(a) eliminate discrimination,

(b) promote equality of opportunity and treatment of its staff and the persons to whom it provides services, and

(c) protect the human rights of its members, staff and the persons to whom it provides services.

There are specific statutory obligations with which public bodies must comply and which can be understood as duties to assess, address and report.

Section 42(2) provides that the public body shall set out an assessment of human rights and equality issues it believes relevant to the functions and purpose of the body; and the actions to address those issues; and to report to the public on developments and achievements in a manner accessible to the public.

Our Department is committed to ensuring that there is a culture of respect for human rights and equality among our staff and for the communities we serve. The Public Sector Duty Assessment and Action Plan 2025 – 2028 provides an assessment of the human rights and equality issues related to our Department's functions as policy maker, employer and service provider, and the actions to address these issues.

The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment in our Statement of Strategy set out our commitment to human rights, equality and anti-discrimination. We have launched an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy and Action Plan and EDI Policy which sets out how the Department works to ensure equality, diversity and inclusion as an employer and as a public body.

Read more about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion