Public Sector Duty
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014 states that public bodies such as Trinity have a duty to promote human rights and equality throughout all their activities.
Irish Human Rights and Equality Act
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014 states that public bodies such as Trinity have a duty to promote human rights and equality throughout all their activities. This Public Sector Duty applies to the body's employees, service users (e.g. students) and everyone affected by their policies and plans.
Trinity’s Strategic Plan 2025-2030 (page 8) states:
“Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, also known as the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, places a statutory obligation on public bodies, such as Trinity, to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and protect the human rights of its members, those to whom they provide services and staff when carrying out their daily work. As a values-led organisation, we embrace our Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty obligations. Underpinned by data, consultation and feedback, we will use this as a lens to identify opportunities and take action to embed a culture of equality, inclusion and respect for human rights across our community and in how we work. Our Athena Swan Charter commitments also underpin this.”
Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty Assessment and Action Plan
In Trinity the People and Culture Committee, a Principal Committee of the Board, approved the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty Assessment and Action Plan on 19 February 2026. You can read Trinity's Assessment and Action Plan here: Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty Assessment and Action Plan
Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Statement
Trinity has produced a Statement which describes and outlines the University’s approach to the implementation of the Duty and communicates how we embed the Duty into our work across the University. The current Statement was approved by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Sub-Committee in January and by the People and Culture Committee in February 2026.
For more information on the Duty in Trinity please visit the Secretary's Office webpage Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty - Secretary's Office | Trinity College Dublin