Ivor Callely
Ceist:32 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the issues, if any, currently being considered by his Department where equality is in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20695/96]
Written Answers. - Equality Issues.
Given that equality issues impact throughout each area in my Department, I propose to approach the reply by identifying work currently being pursued by my Department in relation to equality and equal status.
Three pieces of legislation which will promote equality are currently being progressed.
The Employment Equality Bill currently before the Dáil will seek to outlaw discrimination in employment on grounds of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religious belief, disability, race and membership of the travelling community. It makes explicit provision with regard to indirect discrimination and harrassment and sets out redress procedures, including the creation of a new Office of Director of Equality Investigations, for persons who seek to complain of unequal treatment. Provision is also made for the establishment of an Equality Authority whose powers will include preparation of codes of practice and equality reviews and action plans.
The Equal Status Bill will seek to outlaw discrimination on the nine discriminatory grounds already stated. It will apply to non-workplace areas, including education, provision of goods and services and disposal of property and accommodation and will also contain measures to deal with discrimination by registered clubs. Services will be defined broadly to include access to public places, banking and insurance services, entertainment, facilities for refreshment and transport.
The Registration of Births (Amendment) Bill will amend the form of the birth certificate in order to remove gender inequalities in the particulars registered.
In addition, the work of my Department includes preparation of legislation on parental leave and the progress of EU Commission proposals for directives on burden of proof and positive action in an employment equality context.
Equality issues also arise for my Department with regard to commitments in the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, child care developments and promotion of equal opportunities in employment generally.
In addition, the following ongoing activities concerning equal status are currently being pursued: the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action; the preparation of Ireland's reports under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); the follow-up to the report of the Commission on the Status of Women; membership of the Council of Europe Steering Committee on Equality; monitoring of membership of State Boards; administration of the grant to the National Women's Council; Action for Equality Awards; work in connection with combating race discrimination at EU and Council of Europe level.
I have recently been presented with the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities. It is my intention to launch the report at the EU Presidency Conference on equal opportunities for people with disabilities which will take place in Cork on 18 and 19 November.