Vol. 450 No. 2
43 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the role the Employment Equality Agency will have in ensuring the implementation of the proposed Employment Equality Bill; and if it is intended to extend the remit of the Employment Equality Agency so that it has the resources and powers to ensure that its role is secured. [4876/95]
As the Deputy will be aware, broad ranging proposals for new legislation for employment equality and equal status are being developed in my Department. The role and powers of the Employment Equality Agency are being reviewed as part of the process of developing the proposals. One option under serious consideration is replacement of the Employment Equality Agency, as it exists at present, with an agency that would discharge a statutory role as regards both employment equality and equal status matters. The new agency would be assigned the powers necessary for the adequate discharge of its statutory role. I will be seeking to secure appropriate levels of financial and other resources to enable the full implementation of the new employment equality and equal status legislation.
