Vol. 455 No. 4
25 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the monitoring procedures that are in place in this country to keep a check on the application of various European Union directives in relation to equality. [12262/95]
The monitoring of the application of equality directives is an integral part of the ongoing policy review functions of the relevant Government Departments. In respect of equality directives in the social security area, this is the responsibility of the Minister for Social Welfare.
My Department deals with Union directives in the employment area. In monitoring the application of these directives the Department is assisted by the advice of the Employment Equality Agency one of whose functions is to keep under review the working of the Anti-Discrimination (Pay) Act, 1974 and the Employment Equality Act, 1977 and whenever it thinks it necessary to make proposals to me for amending either or both of those Acts. Given that both of the Acts in question were brought forward to give effect to Union directives the agency review also addresses this aspect.
In addition, my Department continuously monitors relevant judgments of the European Court of Justice and recommendations and determinations of the equality offices of the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court respectively to ensure that our legislation is fully consistent with the interpretations of the European Court of Justice judgments as regards such directives.
