Vol. 442 No. 3
179 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform whether the draft proposals in the new employment equality legislation have been discussed with employers, in particular, in relation to the costs of implementing any such proposals and their affect on employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In 1993, my Department began a process of consultation with interested parties on the commitment to new employment equality legislation that was given in the Programme for a Partnership Government. As a result, I am aware of the diverse concerns of the interested parties as they relate to these legislative proposals.
Obviously, my Department has included the representatives of employer interests in this consultative process. Written submissions received from this quarter are being considered by my Department and discussions have taken place with them on a number of points, including their views about the costs to employers of complying with any legislation that may be put in place eventually and their views about the effect of any such legislation on employment.
