The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland has introduced a new Statutory Duty document with guidelines for public bodies on how to pursue equality of opportunity and the promotion of good relations between persons of different religious, political, sexual and racial backgrounds.
At the launch at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, yesterday, the chief commissioner of the Equality Commission, Ms Joan Harbinson, said the document would give people "a real voice".
"These new measures have placed equality considerations at the heart of public policy decision-making in a way that is unique to Northern Ireland. They will give people in this community a real voice in the making of policies which affect their lives."
Ms Harbinson called on the Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, to move swiftly to clarify which additional public bodies would be covered by the new duties.
"We have emphasised repeatedly the Equality Commission's view that all public authorities should be included unless there is a compelling reason for them not to be."
The SDLP justice spokesman, Mr Alex Attwood, said the document was evidence that the Belfast Agreement was "not in tatters".
"Those who claim the agreement is in tatters ignore the fact that the Equality and Human Rights Commissions are proceeding in good time with their duties, the consultation on criminal justice changes is to commence, legislation on Patten is imminent and the police ombudsman will be operational by the autumn," he said.
Mr Mandelson yesterday welcomed the document, saying it would advance the equality agenda set out in the Belfast Agreement and the Northern Ireland Act, 1998.
He said he expected to bring forward a draft Order before Easter whereby public bodies would have to adhere to the guidelines.