Vol. 547 No. 2
138 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of cases initiated by or on behalf of members of the Traveller community in regard to breaches of the Equal Status Act, 2000, in licensed premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2969/02]
The Office of the Director of Equality Investigations is an independent statutory office set up under the Employment Equality Act, 1998. The director and her equality officers and equality mediation officers are independent in the performance of their functions. I asked the Office of the Director of Equality Investigations for information. I have been informed that since the commencement of the Equal Status Act, 2000, on 25 October 2000, 561 cases have been registered in the ODEI in relation to complaints of discrimination against pubs, clubs and hotels on the sole ground of membership of the Traveller community.
