Written Answers - EU Directives.
Seán Haughey
Question:
252
Mr. Haughey
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
when and the way in which he will transpose Directive 2002/73/EC of 23 September 2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council in relation to equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment into Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8884/03]
Seán Haughey
Question:
253
Mr. Haughey
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
when and the way in which he will transpose Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000, establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation, into Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8885/03]
Seán Haughey
Question:
273
Mr. Haughey
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
when and the way in which he will transpose Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000, implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin, into Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8886/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 252, 253 and 273 together.
The Employment Equality Act 1998, which prohibits discrimination in relation to employment on nine grounds and the Equal Status Act 2000, which prohibits discrimination in relation to the provision of goods and services on the same nine grounds, are currently being examined in the context of the implementation of Directive 2002/73/EC, Race Directive, Directive 2000/78/EC, Framework Employment Directive, and Directive 2002/73/EC, Gender Equal Treatment Directive. The three directives provide a general framework for combating discrimination on grounds of racial or ethnic origin in both the employment and non-employment areas, Race Directive, as well as a general framework for the prohibition of discrimination in relation to employment on grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, Framework Employment Directive, and on the ground of gender, Gender Equal Treatment Directive.
In the second half of 2002, my Department consulted Departments, the Equality Authority, the Office of the Director of Equality Investigations, the Labour Court and the social partners in relation to the implementation of the employment aspects of the directives. Observations received in the course of this process will, where considered appropriate, be taken into account when amending the legislation. With the Equal Status Act being relatively compliant with the Race Directive, a major consultative process was not thought necessary. However, written submissions have been received and have contributed to the process of drafting the submission to Government in relation to the non-employment area.
I intend to implement the directives in an integrated manner by way of primary legislation amending the Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000. It is hoped to publish the legislation by summer 2003, with a view to its implementation at the earliest possible date. It is intended to ensure that the provisions of the directives will apply to all nine grounds covered by the 1998 and 2000 Acts. The drafting of the legislation addressing the equality aspect of occupational pensions is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs.
