The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, Siobhan Casey said she welcomes the introduction of legislation to protect people from age discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services, calling it a significant milestone and step forward for older people in Northern Ireland.
The Commissioner said: "For more than a decade, my office has consistently called for the introduction of legislation to protect older people from age discrimination when accessing everyday goods, facilities and services.
"Older people in Northern Ireland have waited too long for the same protections that are already available elsewhere in the UK and in the Republic of Ireland. This Bill has the potential to address a longstanding gap in equality law and send a clear message that age discrimination has no place in our society.
“Ageism remains one of the most common forms of discrimination experienced across society and can have a real impact on people's lives. Effective legislation has the potential not only to provide greater protection for older people but also to help challenge ageist attitudes and assumptions wherever they occur.
“This announcement is a significant milestone and one that many older people will regard as long overdue. I commend Claire Sugden for her tireless work on bringing this Bill forward and I look forward to considering the detail of the legislation carefully, and engaging constructively with government and Assembly Members to ensure it delivers the strongest possible protections for older people.”
