Appendix II
Letter from the Director of the Northern
Ireland Economic Council
to the Clerk of the Committee
The Council is pleased to respond to the above report,
which it considered at its 10 September 1999 meeting. This was
the Council's first opportunity to discuss the report since it
was released on 29 July.
As you know the report contains a number of references
to the Council. These include a suggestion that the Council should
undertake a study of the costs and benefits of fair employment
legislation. Such a study would be a major undertaking.
After careful consideration, the Council took the
view that it would be more appropriate for the Equality Commission
to undertake such a project. Such a study would be consistent
with the suggestions contained in the March 1999 Report of the
Equality Commission Working Group. The Group saw research playing
a major role in the Commission's activities. The Council would,
of course, be prepared to assist the Commission in an advisory
capacity while a study is being conducted.
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