Section 75 if the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires public authorities, in carrying out their functions relating to Northern Ireland, to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity:

• between persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation;
• between men and women generally;
• between persons with a disability and persons without; and
• between persons with dependants and persons without.

In addition, without prejudice to the above obligation, public authorities should also, in carrying out their functions relating to Northern Ireland, have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group.

Schedule 9 of the Act requires public authorities to prepare equality schemes, which should state, inter alia, arrangements for assessing the likely impact of policies adopted or proposed to be adopted by the authority on the promotion of equality of opportunity. The Schedule also requires that a public authority, in publishing the results of an assessment, should give details of any consideration given to measures which might mitigate the adverse impact of that policy on the promotion of equality of opportunity and alternative policies which might better achieve the promotion of equality of opportunity.

The RDS also seeks to embrace, and is consistent with, the vision set out by the devolved administration in its first Programme for Government. That vision:

'…… as set out in the Agreement - is of a peaceful, inclusive, prosperous, stable and fair society, firmly founded on the "achievement of reconciliation, tolerance, and mutual trust, and the protection and vindication of the human rights of all". It is a vision also based on "partnership, equality and mutual respect as the basis of relationships within Northern Ireland, between North and South and between these islands'

Consultation

The preparation of the RDS has been characterised by an extensive and inclusive process of public consultation. Further details are set out in Appendix 2.

Monitoring and review

Monitoring of the RDS will continue on an ongoing basis with formal reviews every 5 years. Paragraph 11, in this section, also refers. As part of the process of co-ordinating implementation, indicators will be developed in relation to equality considerations by the relevant implementing bodies.

Guiding principles of the RDS

The RDS is based on 4 Guiding Principles; these are set out in Chapter 3 of the RDS. The Guiding Principles are:

• a people and community focussed approach;
• achieving a more cohesive society;
• achieving competitiveness;
• adopting an integrated approach to the future development of the Region.

The principle of ‘achieving a more cohesive society’ is founded on an approach which provides for equality of opportunity and equity of treatment and is based on spatial equity and complentarity in order to achieve a reasonable balance of development across Northern Ireland.

Strengthening regional cohesion

Chapter 4 of the RDS deals with ‘Creating an Outward Looking Region’ and ‘Developing Community Cohesion’. Strategic Planning Guideline 3 (SPG-SRC 3 ) refers specifically to fostering development which contributes to better community relations, recognises cultural diversity, and reduces socio-economic differentials.

The Spatial Development Strategy for Northern Ireland

Chapter 5 of the RDS provides for ‘a balanced and integrated approach to regional development,’ designed to harness the potential and energies of all areas. It is a framework for the future physical development of the Region based on urban HUBS and CLUSTERS, key and link transport CORRIDORS and the main regional GATEWAYS. It provides for a balance of development in terms of East/West and Urban/Rural. Therefore it seeks to achieve balanced growth by developing Belfast (and the main and smaller towns in the Belfast Metropolitan Area (BMA) and its hinterland), Londonderry, and the main towns in Rural Northern Ireland, and by revitalising small towns, villages and small settlements in rural areas. Balanced growth across this network of centres will enhance equality of opportunity for people living in all parts of Northern Ireland, and offer the locational choice required to meet the wider variety of development needs in a divided society, thus contributing to a cohesive and inclusive society.

Meeting housing needs

Chapter 9 deals with ‘a balanced and integrated approach to meeting Regional housing needs.’ Strategic Planning Guideline SPG-HOU 6 refers specifically to encouraging the development of balanced local communities and acknowledges that respecting diversity and promoting social inclusion are the distinguishing marks of well-balanced communities.

Supporting economic development

Chapter 10 outlines the need ‘to support a sustainable economic drive which will provide jobs and wealth across the Region and help reduce socio-economic differentials.’ Strategic Planning Guideline SPG-ECON 1 refers specifically to promoting a balanced spread of economic development opportunities across the Region, focussed on the BMA and the urban hubs, or clusters, as centres for employment and community services.

Developing regional transportation

Chapter 11 deals with the provision of ‘a modern, sustainable, safe transportation system which benefits society, the regional economy and the environment, and which actively contributes to social inclusion and everyone's quality of life.’ Strategic Planning Guideline SPG-TRAN 2 refers specifically to extending travel choice for all sections of the community by enhancing public transport; it acknowledges the need to provide an appropriate mix of transport services which enhance accessibility to enable people to get to goods, services and facilities.

Caring for the Environment

Chapter 12 outlines the need to ‘encourage the wise use of environmental resources in the interest of future generations.’ Strategic Planning Guideline SPG-ENV 7 refers specifically to facilitating access to a range of opportunities for recreational and cultural activities in the pursuit of healthier lifestyles and a better quality of life (for all).

Implementation

Chapter 13 confirms that implementation of the RDS can only be achieved through effective partnerships between regional and local government and with the public, private, voluntary and community sectors and through appropriate co-operation with our neighbours on the island of Ireland and with Great Britain. It commits to continuing the practice of inclusivity first characterised in the extensive public consultation and participation aspects associated with the development of the RDS. The actions required to give effect to the Strategic Planning Guidelines will, therefore, fall to a range of Departments, agencies and other bodies and these are likely to emerge in Corporate and Business Plans in the first instance. These actions have regard to equality safeguards.

The responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the RDS rests with the Department for Regional Development which is also responsible for monitoring and review activities. As part of its responsibilities for implementation, the Department for Regional Development will prepare a series of Regional Planning Policy Statements (RPPSs). Equality impact assessments will be conducted on these RPPSs as confirmed in the Department's Equality Scheme approved by the Equality Commission. However, given the cross-cutting nature of the RDS, the Department for Regional Development will also seek to carry out monitoring and review in association with all interested parties.