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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Dec 1996

Vol. 473 No. 2

Other Questions. - Study on Prejudice.

Mary Harney

Question:

9 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform his response to the study carried out by Father Micheáil MacGréil entitled, Prejudice in Ireland Revisited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24677/96]

The study carried out by Fr. Micheál MacGréil, entitled Prejudice in Ireland Revisited, which I launched on 22 November 1996, illustrates the continuing prejudice against certain groups in our society, and reinforces the case for effective anti-discrimination legislation.

The Employment Equality Bill, currently awaiting Report Stage in the Dáil, and the Equal Status Bill, which will be published shortly, will prohibit discrimination on a wide range of grounds, both in employment and non-employment areas. While legislation alone may not fully change attitudes, the enactment of anti-discrimination legislation will afford protection to many groups in our society, including groups similar to those covered in Fr. MacGréil's study.

The Minister referred to legislation currently before the House and the forthcoming Equal Status Bill. The need for such legislation is underlined by Fr. MacGréil's findings. With regard to his findings on prejudice against the travelling community, does the Minister believe that in tandem with changing legislation there is the potential to change attitudes, especially the appalling attitudes often displayed towards travellers? Does he believe that legislation alone will assist in changing these attitudes or can other devices be used and does he consider that he or his Department has a role in this regard?

On a number of occasions Fr. MacGréil's research threw up disturbingly high levels of prejudice which many of us would like to think were not present. It will take more than legislation alone to change people's attitudes in these areas. We all have a responsibility in this regard. The kind of work undertaken by Deputy Flood, including his outspokenness on these issues, is most helpful and important. I compliment the Deputy on his consistent stance in this area.

However, legislation is important and necessary. Apart from other considerations, it shows the Government is giveing a lead and indicates, by definition, that there is a need for it. By its action the Government also gives a lead in demonstrating that we must all be conscious that there is an unacceptable level of prejudice. In Ireland the numbers of people comprising minorities are minuscule when one compares our position with the number of racial minorities in other countries such as the UK, France and the Netherlands where there are percentages of minorities which are very visible. The number of minorities here is extremely small and there is less justification for prejudice amoung us of the type indicated so disturbingly by Fr. McGreil's research. He deserves our congratulations and thanks for the carefully researched work he has done and continues to do in this area.

What is the Minister's view of Fr. MacGreil's call for a commission of inquiry into the treatment of travellers on which there should be traveller participation and which should have wide terms of reference? Is that a valuable path to take?

That could be considered but we did have the report on travellers relatively recently which made a number of recommendations, which are in the process of being dealt with by the various Departments which have responsibility in that area. Fr. MacGréil regards status legislation. In his address at the launch of his book in Maynooth, at which I was present, he specifically referred to the importance of the equal status and employment equality legislation and urged the Government to proceed with it and ensure it was passed as quickly as possible.

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