As the Deputy will be aware, broad ranging proposals for new legislation for employment equality and equal status are being developed in my Department. The role and powers of the Employment Equality Agency are being reviewed as part of the process of developing the proposals. One option under serious consideration is replacement of the Employment Equality Agency, as it exists at present, with an agency that would discharge a statutory role as regards both employment equality and equal status matters. The new agency would be assigned the powers necessary for the adequate discharge of its statutory role. I will be seeking to secure appropriate levels of financial and other resources to enable the full implementation of the new employment equality and equal status legislation.