Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 October 2012
188. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are any proposals by the Oireachtas to consider changing the procedure of appealing decisions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal by the Circuit Court through the High Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46683/12]
View answerDisputes about entitlements under the Maternity Protection Acts, the Parental Leave Acts and the Adoptive Leave Acts are referred in the first instance to a rights commissioner. Decisions of a rights commissioner are subject to appeal to the Employment Appeals Tribunal. There is no further appeal other than to the High Court on a point of law. Decisions of a rights commissioner or a determination of the Employment Appeals Tribunal may be enforced by application to the Circuit Court. I have no plans to change these arrangements. Matters relating to review of the complaints and enforcement infrastructure in regard to employment rights legislation generally are a matter for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
