(1)It shall be the duty of the Commission to identify and keep under review patterns and trends of employment in Northern Ireland and of occupations in Northern Ireland for the purposes of—
(a)considering whether they reveal the existence or absence of equality of opportunity, and
(b)assisting the Commission in forming an opinion about—
(i)the manner in which equality of opportunity can best be achieved, or
(ii)where such equality is absent, the reasons for its absence.
(2)It shall also be the duty of the Commission to keep itself informed about proceedings on complaints under Part III of the [1976 c. 25.] Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976.