Vol. 457 No. 5
24 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the progress, if any, that has been made towards putting in place the necessary measures for Ireland to ratify the UN Convention against racial discrimination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15093/95]
Two pieces of anti-discrimination legislation are currently being prepared — the Employment Equality Bill, dealing with discrimination in the workplace and the Equal Status Bill, which will deal with discrimination outside the field of employment.
Ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination cannot take place prior to the enactment of these measures. I will ensure that the requirements of the convention are borne in mind in drafting these Bills and that any other steps which are necessary for ratification are identified as soon as possible.
