Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976

General N.I.

Establishment and duties of Commission N.I.

54.—(1)  [F1 The Commission shall have the following duties]

(a) to work towards the elimination of discrimination,

[F2 (aa) to work towards the elimination of harassment that is contrary to any of the provisions of this Order,]

(b) to promote equality of opportunity between men and women generally,F3 . . .

[F3 (bb) to promote equality of opportunity, in the field of employment and of vocational training, for persons who intend to undergo, are undergoing or have undergone gender reassignment, and]

(c) to keep under review the working of this Order and the Equal Pay Act and, when the Commission is so required by the Department or otherwise thinks it necessary, draw up and submit to the Department proposals for amending them.

Paras. (2)‐(4) rep. by 1998 c. 47

F1 1998 c. 47

F2 SR 2005/426

F3 SR 1999/311

Research and education N.I.

55.—(1) The Commission may undertake or assist (financially or otherwise) the undertaking by other persons of any research, and any educational activities, which appear to the Commission necessary or expedient for the purposes of Article 54(1).

(2) The Commission may make charges for educational or other facilities or services made available by it.

Review of discriminatory provisions in health and safety legislation N.I.

56.—(1) Without prejudice to the generality of Article 54(1), the Commission, in pursuance of the duties imposed by sub-paragraphs ( a) and ( b) of that paragraph—

(a) shall keep under review the relevant statutory provisions in so far as they require men and women to be treated differently, and

(b) if so required by the relevant department, make to it a report on any matter specified by it which is connected with those duties and concerns the relevant statutory provisions.

Any such report shall be made within the time specified by the relevant department, and the relevant department shall cause the report to be published.

(2) Whenever the Commission thinks it necessary, it shall draw up and submit to the relevant department proposals for amending the relevant statutory provisions.

(3) The Commission shall carry out its duties in relation to the relevant statutory provisions in consultation with the relevant department.

(4) In this Article “the relevant statutory provisions” means the provisions mentioned in Schedule 4 or, in relation to the relevant department, means such of those provisions as relates to matters falling within the scope of the functions of that department; and “the relevant department” means any government department on or for purposes of which functions are conferred by any of those provisions.