Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle has urged all parties to do what they can to ensure the successful passage of the private member’s Bill to tackle the exclusion of teaching from fair employment legislation.

The Alliance Education spokesperson was speaking ahead of the second stage of his Bill in the Assembly today (Wednesday). Mr Lyttle said due to support from all sides of the chamber, everything must be done to pass the legislation before the end of the current mandate.

“There is an increasingly clear consensus, both in the Assembly and across Northern Ireland, that teachers should be included in the Fair Employment and Treatment Order,” said Mr Lyttle.

“Almost all other professions in Northern Ireland except teachers can rely on legislation to protect them from discrimination on grounds of their perceived faith.

“The Assembly has previously adopted a position of undivided support for making the move, in a motion debated last May. Given the overwhelming desire from all parties to see this Bill passed, I urge everyone to do all we can to pass this important legislation before the end of the Assembly mandate.”