Five more members of the board of the Equality Authority have resigned. David Joyce from ICTU, Louise McDonnell a senior official in IMPACT (Public sector trade union) and Frank Goodwin from the Carers Association have informed the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern that the authority can no longer fulfill it’s core functions. A call to IBEC confirms that their representatives, Denis O’Flynn and Finola McDonnell have also resigned from the board – no statement is forthcoming on the reasons for the IBEC resignations.

This leaves 10 members of the board remaining, one of whom is a senior official in the Dept of Justice of Equality and Law Reform.

To lose one board member is unfortunate – to lose 6 including those representing two of the social partners is an absolute disaster. Many others must surely follow if they have any dignity and respect for the role of an independent equality and human rights infrastructure in the state.