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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 2

Written Answers. - Amsterdam Treaty.

Dick Spring

Question:

170 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the changes, if any, that may be required to Irish legislation consequent on the non-discrimination clause of the Amsterdam Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15440/98]

Article 13 of the Amsterdam Treaty will enable the Council to take action to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The text of the Article reads:

Without prejudice to the other provisions of this Treaty and within the limits of the powers conferred by it upon the Community, the Council, acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, may take appropriate action to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

After the Amsterdam Treaty has been adopted, it will be a matter for the EU Commission to initiate actions under Article 13. At this stage it is not possible to say what form these actions might take or whether any legislative changes would be required as a result of such action.
The Employment Equality Act, 1998, when brought into force, will prohibit discrimination in employment on nine distinct grounds, including those covered by Article 13. The revised equal status legislation, which it is intended to publish later this year, will prohibit discrimination outside the workplace on the same nine grounds.
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