Ireland has already extensively legislated to promote and protect the principles of equality and freedom from discrimination in employment, in the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2008. This legislation prohibits direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation in the area of employment on nine grounds, including that of sexual orientation.
Institutional structures, in the shape of the Equality Tribunal and the Equality Authority, are also in place to ensure effective implementation of these statutes. The Equality Tribunal is the main body for investigating and mediating on cases of discrimination and harassment. At a general level within society, it is the role of the Equality Authority to promote the awareness of the overall equality framework, of which anti-discriminatory measures are a constituent part. The Authority works at many levels and with many bodies towards the elimination of discrimination within society, including organisations representative of the gay and lesbian community and employer organisations.
Furthermore, in 2006 the Government initiated a programme of engagement by policy makers with the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network in relation to areas of concern for the gay and lesbian community. My Department is continuing this engagement which to date has produced significant benefits, particularly in the area of education.