The Customs Tariff (Suspension of Import Duty Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
This statutory instrument designates the Northern Ireland Events Company and the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council for Nursing and Midwifery as public authorities for the purposes of Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
It requires these bodies to fulfill statutory duties to promote equality of opportunity between various groups, including those defined by religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, disability, and dependency status.
The order applies to the specified authorities and integrates them into the oversight framework managed by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
Arguments For
The order designates specific entities as "public authorities" to ensure they are subject to statutory duties regarding the promotion of equality of opportunity and good relations.
Proponents of the designation process, as established under Section 75(3)(a) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, maintain that extending these duties to diverse public bodies ensures that equality considerations are integrated into the functions of agencies involved in health, education, and culture.
The legislation cites the authority of the Secretary of State to make such designations following consultation with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
Arguments Against
Legal commentators have noted that once a body is designated, it incurs administrative costs and reporting requirements related to the production of equality schemes.
Some organizations have raised concerns regarding whether the scope of Section 75 duties is applied consistently across all bodies receiving public funds, or if the selection of bodies for designation is functionally selective.
Affected agencies may require additional resources to comply with the statutory obligations of monitoring and assessing the impact of their policies on different groups.
- This Order may be cited as the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Section 75—Designated Public Authorities) Order 2004 and shall come into force on 1st April 2004.
Establishes the official title of the legal instrument and sets the date of April 1, 2004, for its implementation.
It serves as the standard citation for legal and administrative purposes.
- The following bodies are hereby designated for the purposes of section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998— (a) the Northern Ireland Events Company; (b) the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council for Nursing and Midwifery.
Specifies the two entities—the Northern Ireland Events Company and the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council for Nursing and Midwifery—that are now categorized as public authorities.
This designation triggers a legal requirement for these bodies to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different religious beliefs, political opinions, or other protected characteristics.
The bodies must also prepare an equality scheme and conduct impact assessments of their policies.
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