The Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997

Establishment and duties of Commission

42.—(1) There shall be a body of Commissioners named the Commission for Racial Equality for Northern Ireland consisting of at least 5 but not more than 7 individuals each appointed by the Head of the Department on a full-time or part-time basis.

(2) It shall be the duty of the Commission—

(a) to work towards the elimination of discrimination;

(b) to promote equality of opportunity, and good relations, between persons of different racial groups generally; and

(c) to keep under review the working of this Order and, when it is so required by the Department or otherwise thinks it necessary, draw up and submit to the Department proposals for amending this Order.

(3) The Head of the Department shall appoint—

(a) one of the Commissioners to be chairman of the Commission; and

(b) either one or more of the Commissioners (as the Head of the Department thinks fit) to be deputy chairman or deputy chairmen of the Commission.

(4) The Department may by order amend paragraph (1) so far as it regulates the number of Commissioners.

(5) Schedule 1 shall have effect with respect to the Commission.