Document Category: Corporate documents

This report has been prepared using a template circulated by the Equality Commission. It presents our progress in fulfilling our statutory equality and good relations duties and implementing Equality Scheme commitments and Disability Action Plans. This report reflects progress made between April 2025 and March 2026.

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery Annual Report and Accounts 2025–26 have been presented to Parliament and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to Part 1 (6)(4) of Schedule 1 of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

This document also fulfils the Commission’s duties in accordance with section 2 (9) and (10) of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

The Commission provided written evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee inquiry into reconciliation. This submission provides commentary under the following headings, aligned to the Commission’s statutory remit: The Commission’s interpretation of its principal objective to promote reconciliation, and how the Commission has sought to embed its principal objective to promote reconciliation.

This policy ensures that employees of the Independent Commission for Information and Reconciliation Recovery (ICRIR) have a clear understanding of what might constitute a relevant outside interest and that the Commission takes a consistent approach to the management of outside interests.  

The External Advisory Group has been established by the ICRIR Board to advise the Commissioner for Investigations (and the wider Commission) on operating policies and practices. These are its terms of reference.

Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (the Act) requires public authorities in Northern Ireland to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity and regard to the desirability of promoting good relations. The Commission uses the tools of screening and equality impact assessment to assess the likely impact of a policy on the promotion of equality of opportunity and good relations.

Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (the Act) requires public authorities in Northern Ireland to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity and regard to the desirability of promoting good relations. The Commission uses the tools of screening and equality impact assessment to assess the likely impact of a policy on the promotion of equality of opportunity and good relations.

Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (the Act) requires public authorities in Northern Ireland to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity and regard to the desirability of promoting good relations. The Commission uses the tools of screening and equality impact assessment to assess the likely impact of a policy on the promotion of equality of opportunity and good relations.

Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (the Act) requires public authorities in Northern Ireland to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity and regard to the desirability of promoting good relations. The Commission uses the tools of screening and equality impact assessment to assess the likely impact of a policy on the promotion of equality of opportunity and good relations.

Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (the Act) requires public authorities in Northern Ireland to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity and regard to the desirability of promoting good relations. The Commission uses the tools of screening and equality impact assessment to assess the likely impact of a policy on the promotion of equality of opportunity and good relations.