Geraldine McGahey

An event co-hosted by the Equality Commission, the Commissioner for Older People in Northern Ireland and charity Age NI will tomorrow discuss how age discrimination laws in Northern Ireland can be strengthened.

The event at St Mary’s University College at 11am will hear from Geraldine McGahey, the chief commissioner of the Equality Commission; Eddie Lynch, the Commissioner for Older People; and Dr Paschal McKeown, director of Age NI.

In a joint statement, the three said: “We’ve had protection here against age discrimination in employment and in education since 2006. However, it is still not unlawful in Northern Ireland to discriminate against people on the grounds of their age when it comes to providing goods, facilities or services.

“This includes in the areas of health and social services, financial services, retail, transport and entertainment. So, at present, if someone discriminates against you in these areas because of your age, you have no legal right to challenge this treatment.

“We believe strongly that the age equality legislation here should be strengthened and updated to be at least as good as, and potentially even better than, the Equality Act 2010 which applies throughout Great Britain.

“There is opportunity for Northern Ireland to learn from the last 12 years of protection against discrimination in goods, facilities and services in Great Britain and have comprehensive age discrimination legislation here.

“A great deal of work went into seeking views through a consultation by OFMDFM on proposals to extend age discrimination legislation in 2015 but it could not be agreed by the Executive at that time.”

They added: “Both the rest of the UK and Ireland have these protections in place. It is important that we close this legislative gap. It cannot be right, that people here have less protection from age discrimination here than their peers in our nearest neighbouring countries. It’s really important that we work together to get this issue back on the agenda for our politicians.”