I hope to be in a position very shortly to publish the equality Bill and to proceed to its enactment as early as possible in 2004. The equality Bill will amend the Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000 to give effect to Council Directive 2000/43/EC, implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin, Council Directive 2000/78/EC, establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment, and Directive 2002/73/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 76/207/EEC on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion and working conditions.
Pending publication of the Bill, I am not in a position to comment in any detail on the provisions, which it will contain.