Vol. 573 No. 2
163 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department supports the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination; and if Travellers will be included on the equality agenda. [24678/03]
My Department and its agencies have a central role in combating discrimination on nine grounds: gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, disability, race and membership of the Traveller community. In relation to the Traveller community, my Department chairs the Traveller monitoring committee which monitors the implementation of policies for Travellers in all Departments. It also funds Traveller specific projects.
In addition, my Department was responsible for the preparation of major legislation which combat discrimination on the grounds of race and membership of the Traveller community. These include: The Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 which, inter alia, prohibits the use of words, behaviour or the publication or distribution of material which is threatening, abusive or insulting and are intended, or are likely to stir up hatred. Under this Act, hatred against members of the Traveller community is specifically covered; the Employment Equality Act 1998 which outlaws discrimination in the employment context on nine grounds, including race and membership of the Traveller community; and the Equal Status Act 2000 which protects against discrimination on the same nine grounds in regard to education, provision of goods and services, accommodation and the disposal of property.
