Regulation 2 InterpretationI1

The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954^f1 shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.

In these Regulations “sexual orientation” means a sexual orientation towards –

In these Regulations, references to discrimination are to any discrimination falling within regulation 3 (discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation) or 4 (discrimination by way of victimisation) and related expressions shall be construed accordingly, and references to harassment shall be construed in accordance with regulation 5 (harassment on grounds of sexual orientation).

In these Regulations –

• “act” includes a deliberate omission;

• “benefits”, except in regulation 11 (trustees and managers of occupational pension schemes), includes facilities and services;

• “the Commission” means the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland established by section 73 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998^f2;

• “the Department” means the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister;

• “detriment” does not include harassment within the meaning of regulation 5;

• references to “employer”, in their application to a person at any time seeking to employ another, include a person who has no employees at that time;

• “employment” means employment under a contract of service or of apprenticeship or a contract personally to do any work, and related expressions shall be construed accordingly;

• “Minister of the Crown” includes the Treasury and the Defence Council;

• “Northern Ireland” includes such of the territorial waters of the United Kingdom as are adjacent to Northern Ireland;

• “Northern Ireland Minister” includes the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly; and

• “school” has the same meaning as in the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986^f3.