Vol. 522 No. 4
221 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an indicative timetable for the bringing into effect by his order of the provisions contained in the Equal Status Act, 2000, will be introduced; if he will give effect to the Act in its entirety or to proceed with the gradual introduction of the provisions on a priority basis. [18884/00]
The Equal Status Act, 2000, which was signed into law by the President on 26 April 2000, is a radical and innovative measure which puts Ireland in the lead position within the European Union in terms of anti-discrimination legislation. Section 48 of the Act provides that the Act shall come into operation on such day as may be fixed by order made by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and that different days may be fixed for different provisions and for different purposes.
A number of necessary administrative steps are under way to enable the Act to be commenced including the putting in place of the requisite staff in the equality authority and in the office of the director of equality investigations. It is my intention to have the entire Act in operation later this year and my target date for so doing is October 2000 when the appropriate resources are expected to be in place.
The Deputy may wish to note that section 47 of the Equal Status Act, 2000, which is in respect of transitional arrangements for the Employment Equality Act, 1998, has already been brought into operation. I made the requisite order under section 48 of the Act on 14 June 2000.
