Vol. 453 No. 6
19 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the views, if any, he has on whether it would be appropriate to draft anti-discrimination legislation dealing with people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9690/95]
26 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform when equal status legislation will be published; the areas of discrimination that will be covered by such legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9688/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 26 together.
Legislation is being prepared which will deal with discrimination on grounds of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, disability, race, colour, nationality, national or ethnic origin and membership of the travelling community. The proposed equal status Bill will cover discrimination on these grounds in the areas of education, provision of goods and services and disposal of property or accommodation. Services will be defined broadly to include access to public places, banking and insurance services, entertainment and facilities for refreshment and transport. The equal status Bill will also address discrimination on the aforementioned grounds by registered clubs against members or applicants for membership. There will be a separate Bill — the employment equality Bill — to deal with discrimination in the workplace.
The equal status Bill is currently being drafted and I intend to bring it forward as soon as possible.
As regards registered clubs, will it be obligatory on, say, a club of one denomination to allow in members of another denomination?
The provisions of the Bill are still in course of preparation. We must await publication of the Bill in due course to examine all aspects of it.
I would like to return to the area of disability. The Minister quite rightly wants to continue with the preparation of the employment equality Bill and the equal status Bill. Will he consider a specific Bill to deal with disability if that is the outcome of the work of the Commission on the Status of People with Disability?
A good deal of work has been done on both of these Bills and I would be reluctant to change horses in mid stream. I believe the measures which I hope to bring forward will represent a major improvement in the rights of people with disabilities. They will cover their needs so far as employment and goods and services are concerned. Subject to what the commission may report on in due course, I will be proceeding on that basis.
