Oftel has published a consultation document setting out how it believes it complies with the requirements of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

The Act states that Oftel, as a designated public body, must assess all its areas of work to determine whether they raise equality issues, and if they do raise equality issues, to conduct equality impact assessments in relation to those areas of work.

The Act requires designated public bodies to be mindful of the impact which their policies may have on the promotion of good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group.

Following the consultation period, the scheme will be submitted to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland for approval.

Once approved, Oftel will formally put in place the processes set outlined in the scheme and will toensure that all staff are aware of the requirements of the Act insofar as they relate to equality issues in Northern Ireland.

For further information please contact Nigel Humberston (tel: 020 7634 8824 / e-mail nigel.humberston@oftel.gov.uk).