Vol. 534 No. 5
58 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the proposed mediation services, launched by the Director of Equality Investigations, will be operational; the way in which the service will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11007/01]
At the outset, I should point out that the Office of the Director of Equality Investigations is an independent statutory office set up under the Employment Equality Act, 1998, and that the director and her equality officers and equality mediation officers are independent in the performance of their functions.
The mediation service of the Office of the Director of Equality Investigations has been operational since early this year. I have been advised by the director that, so far, ten cases have been referred for mediation.
In accordance with the equality legislation, mediation is: voluntary – both parties must consent to participate. Either party may withdraw that consent at any time and the mediation will be terminated; confidential – mediation sessions are held in private and mediated settlements are not published; and binding – if agreement is reached it can be enforced through the Circuit Court.
