Vol. 460 No. 3
203 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the proposals for legislation being prepared under the auspices of his Department that have not yet been published; and the statutory instruments being prepared in his Department. [19389/96]
204 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the Acts and provisions of Acts under the auspices of his Department which, as of 1 January 1996, are not in force in view of the fact that a commencement order has not been made; whether it is proposed to make such an order in each case; and if so, when. [19412/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.
Proposals for an Employment Equality Bill, which will prohibit discrimination in employment on grounds of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin or membership of the travelling community, and for an Equal Status Bill, which will deal with discrimination outside the field of employment, are being drafted at present.
Publication of the Family Law (Divorce) Bill is awaiting the outcome of the petition to the High Court in the case concerning the divorce referendum and, when the Powers of Attorney Bill, which is awaiting Second Stage in Dáil Éireann having been passed by Seanad Éireann, and the Domestic Violence Bill, which is awaiting Second Stage in Seanad Éireann having been passed by Dáil Éireann, have been enacted, legislative proposals will be prepared to facilitate the transfer of matrimonial property to joint ownership and to update the law on guardianship of children.
A regulation dealing with calculation of compensation under the Maternity Protection Act, 1994 is being prepared at present. Regulations are also being prepared to give effect to the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995 and to the Powers of Attorney Bill when it becomes law. It is my intention to make commencement orders in respect of the Family Law Act, 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995 in the near future.
