Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Mar 2001

Vol. 532 No. 1

Written Answers. - Human Rights Issues.

Denis Naughten

Question:

286 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a golf club which has received public funds can arbitrarily refuse membership of the club to members of the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6584/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

The Equal Status Act, 2000, prohibits discrimination in connection with the provision of services to the public generally on any of the following grounds – gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community.

If a golf club is a commercial undertaking, the Act prohibits it from treating a person less favourably than another person on any of the grounds listed above. If, however, a golf club is a private registered club within the meaning of the Registration of Clubs Acts, the Act seeks to discourage such discrimination by allowing a com plainant to apply for a determination from the District Court that the club is a discriminating club. On first finding that the club is a discriminating club, the court may suspend the club's right to sell alcoholic drink to its members for up to 30 days. On subsequent finding, the club may lose that right indefinitely. No other sanction against a discriminating private registered club, such as withdrawal of State grant, is provided for in the Act.

It might be of help to the Deputy to know that some, but not all, grants of public funds paid to clubs have terms and conditions which require grantees to produce evidence of non-discrimination and give a written undertaking that the facility will be made available to the local community. If the Deputy has a particular case in mind he might raise it with the relevant grant aiding public body.