Northern Ireland's Section 5 of the Government of Ireland Act of 1920 stated that "the Northern Ireland Parliament was prohibited from making any law that would give preference privilege or advantage or impose any disability or disadvantage on account of religious belief or ecclesiastical status. Why was it necessary in subsequent years for Northern Ireland to levy additional anti-discrimination legislation?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Possible key points from the text: A decade later, however, it became clear to the government that the 1976 Act was having a minimal impact on Catholic disadvantages in employment. There was strong pressure to increase the numbers of Roman Catholics in their workforces. Additionally reports on the status of employment discrimination, convinced the government of the need to introduce new legislation. The new legislation was to assure that the proportions of the two religious communities in employment would be equal to their proportions in the population at large and close auditing of employers’ practices in achieving employment equality. Employers are also required to provide 3-year reviews of their recruitment, training, and promotion practices and policies. The penalties include not only fines for discrimination and failure to register and monitor but also exclusion from competing for government contracts and denial of any government grants. The 1998 amendment to the Act also outlawed any discrimination based on religion or politics in the provision of foods, facilities and services, however it still kept the essential from the 1989 law