Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am afraid the Cathaoirleach is going to have to keep going because this is my first round.

I welcome all the witnesses and thank them for all the work they have done to date on this legislation. I will get straight on to the question for Ms Barry and Mr. Bowes. FLAC argues that the rising levels of discrimination require stronger legislation, yet Ireland's equality laws have expanded dramatically since the 1990s, from covering only gender in employment to now covering nine grounds across employment, services, education and housing. Meanwhile, reported discrimination has risen from under 3% in 1995 to 22% today. Given this, how do witnesses explain the apparent correlation between more legislation and higher reported discrimination? Could this suggest that legislation alone is not the solution? In fact, do witnesses think it is possible that more laws, more protections and more protected categories incentivise grievances and court cases?