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• an explanation of how efforts and available
resources will be targeted to ensure the delivery of New TSN objectives; or
• a statement that it is the Ministers view
that New TSN does not apply to the policy and a brief explanation as to the reasoning
behind this view.
7.11 The Executives New TSN Policy together with
details of how each department is implementing
One way in which a policy
New TSN are set out in Making it Work: the New TSN Action Plans Report. This can be accessed,
might be designed in order
along with the other New TSN relevant documents,
to promote New TSN might
on the New TSN web site.
be to give priority to areas experiencing multiple
deprivation or to phase
Human Rights
rollout of a policy giving priority to the most
7.12 With the introduction of the Human Rights Act
1998 on 2 October 2000 and the establishment of
disadvantaged areas first.
the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on 1 March 1999, the rights and freedoms guaranteed
under the European Convention on Human Rights ECHR are now incorporated into domestic law.
For the first time, individuals who consider that their Convention rights have been breached will be
able to seek redress in the courts in Northern Ireland instead of having to incur the cost and
delay of taking a case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
40
7.13 This will have a significant impact on the work of the NI departments. Everyone
in a department, or an agency, or in a public body, will need to be aware of the effect the ECHR might have on their work. If your job has an impact on the
rights of individuals, you will need to bear in mind the need to comply with the Convention. You will need to be aware of the possibility of your decisions, or
decisions taken by Ministers acting on your advice, being challenged on ECHR grounds.
7.14 Where necessary, existing legislation must be examined to identify provisions
which might not be compatible with the ECHR and future policy and legislation developed taking account of the ECHR, the Human Rights Act and the Northern
Ireland Act. There must be a statement that the human rights implications of the proposed policylegislation have been assessed and that the Minister is satisfied
that the proposals are compatible with Convention Rights as incorporated by the Human Rights Act 1998. If such a statement cannot be made then there has to
be an explanation.
7.15 Detailed information is available on the Human Rights web site in the Guidance
