A report outlining the proposed structure, priorities and functioning of the new equality commission for Northern Ireland has been welcomed by the North's Development Minister, Mr Paul Murphy.
The new body, envisaged in the Belfast Agreement, will bring together four existing bodies: the Commission for Racial Equality for Northern Ireland, the Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland, the Fair Employment Commission and the Northern Ireland Disability Council.
Mr Murphy said that the British government had made the commitment to achieve rapid progress in employment equality in the North. "The publication of the report is real proof of delivery on that commitment and a sure sign that we are determined to bring about real and lasting change."
The report, which has been compiled by a working group over a six-month period, stresses that the creation of the new commission will take the equality agenda forward, important as "significant issues of inequality remain to be tackled".
It is recommended that the Commission consist initially of one full-time chief commissioner, one part-time deputy and 14 part-time commissioners. Areas of priority outlined in the report include, employment, housing, combating discrimination, and economic and social policy.
"We are already in the middle of the process to appoint commissioners to the new body. I believe this report will serve as an excellent foundation on which they can build," said Mr Murphy.
The working group also envisages that the new body will draft guidelines on equality schemes that may then be used by public authorities to promote equality. The chairwoman of the group, Dr Joan Stringer, said members were impressed with the level of public interest in the issue while compiling the report.