Reply: The Equal Opportunities Tribunal is established in accordance with section 34 of the Equal Opportunities Act and consists of a President and two Members, who are appointed by the Public Service Commission. The post of President and Members of the Equal Opportunities Tribunal are established in the Civil Establishment Order. Since the establishment of the Equal Opportunities Tribunal in 2012, the posts of President and Members of the Tribunal are filled on a part-time basis in as much as the low number of cases being referred to the Tribunal. As regards part (a) of the question, I am informed that Mr Denis Henri Vellien was assigned the duties of President of the Equal Opportunities Tribunal during the period 13 June 2012 to 22 February 2022. Thereafter, his services were retained on a contractual basis from 23 February 2022 to 21 August 2022. Following the expiry of the contract of Mr Vellien, Mrs Sulakshna Beekarry-Sunassee, in her capacity as Assistant Solicitor-General, was assigned the duties of President of the Equal Opportunities Tribunal from 26 August 2022 to 02 May 2023 until her appointment as Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court on 03 May 2023.

132 A recommendation has already been made to the Public Service Commission for the filling of the vacancies on a part-time basis. As regards part (c) of the question, I am informed that as at date, there are 29 cases pending before the Equal Opportunities Tribunal. RODRIGUES – NATIONAL POLICE BAND – RECRUITMENT EXERCISE