Vol. 498 No. 4
393 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has given consideration to the recommendation of the National Economic and Social Forum that a task force or commission be established to consider the status of lesbians and gay men; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27659/98]
Paragraph 5.3 of Partnership 2000 states that "consideration will be given to further targeted initiatives (building on models developed for women, people with disabilities and Travellers) examining and addressing the difficulties of other groups experiencing discrimination". I am also aware of the National Economic and Social Forum report entitled ‘Partnership 2000: Development of the Equality Agenda' which was presented to the Government in November 1997. The report recommends, in respect of paragraph 5.3, that a commission or task force on the status of lesbians and gay men should be established.
As regards the foregoing recommendation in the forum's report, I wish to emphasise that Partnership 2000 does not contain any commitment, either explicit or implicit, to the establishment of a commission or task force on the status of lesbians and gay men. The establishment of such a commission or task force is not among the initiatives under Partnership 2000 being pursued by my Department.
