Jeffrey Dudgeon has signalled the beginning of a campaign to ensure that fair employment law is applied in Northern Ireland. Currently NI is the only country within the European Union to have any exemption.
Speaking after a court hearing on the matter, Jeffrey said:
“Northern Ireland is currently the only country in the European Union which has an exemption within the EU directive outlawing discrimination in employment on the grounds of religion. As it stands, local teachers have no right to take legal action should they feel they have been discriminated against within the appointments process.’
“I had applied for leave for a judicial review following the failure of the Office of the First and Deputy First Ministers to supply me with a full response to a Freedom of Information request I had submitted 320 days ago. It is a legal obligation that FoI requests must be answered within 20 days.’
“Last night (Wednesday) I finally received the remaining information that I had been waiting for from OFMdFM. I find it high handed, even contemptuous, that the Department should wait until the night before the Court hearing to provide me with my requested information, given they have had 320 days to do so.’
“This is only the beginning of the campaign to ensure fair employment law is applied in Northern Ireland, without exception. Teachers should be able to work within any school here, regardless of their religion.’