I have just recently received from the Employment Equality Agency a Draft Code of Practice on the Protection of the Dignity of Women and Men at Work.
The draft code has been compiled by the agency, based on broad consultation and agreement among employer bodies and trade unions, and is currently being examined in my Department. I intend to have the draft code published shortly, in line with the commitment given in the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. It will then be promoted, monitored and reviewed by the Employment Equality Agency which has considerable experience and expertise in advising workers and employers on the subject.
Implementation of the code will be on a voluntary basis. However, I propose to give it statutory recognition in the forthcoming employment equality legislation so that cases for decision by an equality officer, the Labour Court or civil courts could have due regard to the contents of the code.