asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is considering proposals to transfer hearings of allegations of discrimination from the Equality Tribunal to the District Court; the purpose of this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2925/03]
Written Answers. - Liquor Licensing Laws.
27.
The Commission on Liquor Licensing in December 2002 produced a report on admission and service in licensed premises. In it the commission made recommendations for changes to the liquor licensing code. It also put forward a number of suggestions for changes to equality legislation, structures and procedures. It did not wish to make any formal recommendations in relation to these matters since the primary focus of its report was on the liquor licensing code. It noted that suggested changes to equality legislation would require further consideration and wider consultation.
One such issue raised by the commission was to provide recourse to the District Court when dealing with all licensing issues, including cases involving licensed premises under the Equal Status Act 2000. At present all cases under equal status legislation are heard by ODEI – the Equality Tribunal in the first instance, with appeal to the Circuit Court.
I have asked my Department to undertake a consultation process with the social partners, the ODEI – the Equality Tribunal and the Equality Authority on all the equality issues raised by the commission, and to report further to me on the outcome. Until such time as the consultation process has been completed I have no further statement to make on the matter.