asked the Minister for Labour if his attention has been drawn to a report that a hotel (details supplied) is operating racial discrimination; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Racial Discrimination.
21.
I am aware of a report in a Sunday newspaper of three Zambian nationals being refused service of drink in a Dublin hotel. I do not know whether this refusal of services was because of racial discrimination or some other reason.
The proprietor of a hotel must provide drink to guests on request under the Hotel Proprietors Act, 1963, unless he has reasonable grounds of refusal. It is open to persons refused services in a hotel to seek redress in the civil courts.
I might add that I am keeping under review the question of discrimination in employment — including discrimination on the grounds of race and colour — and the steps that it may be necessary to take. Should the need arise to introduce legislation aimed at preventing racial or colour discrimination generally, the Government would not hesitate to do so.
In the event of this type of situation happening — and there is truth in it—has the Minister any power to impose penalties on the guilty people?
As I have indicated, it does not come within my area of ministerial responsibility, but certainly it would be the Government's intention, if there was any strong evidence of discrimination of this kind, to introduce legislation.
Will the Minister consider tightening up legislation in this matter?
There is redress in the courts at present, but we are not aware of any widespread numbers of such cases.
There is always a beginning.
Arising from the Minister's comments on the necessity for the elimination of discrimination on racial grounds, am I to take it now that he regards this as a higher priority than the elimination of discrimination on marriage grounds, some of the new discrimination which he created recently?
The Deputy is extending the scope of this question.
I am asking the Minister about his priorities in the elimination of discrimination.
I have already said the Opposition should have up-dated their scripts. They are all out of date. They would want to tell their think tank to produce more relevant scripts for Question Time.