Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will do the lotto after this meeting because my luck is changing. I thank everybody for their presentations. I feel that the adding the tenth - socioeconomic status - is really important. With a few exceptions, groups and unions are not doing enough to campaign for the addition of socioeconomic status. There are a few exceptions but I believe there needs to be a very strong campaign on this because the previous Government kicked it down the road and this Government kicked it down the road a month or two ago. It is very timely and important that everybody comes together and campaigns for the addition of socioeconomic status.

As Ms Walsh said, inner city communities face discrimination twice. There is systemic discrimination. The inner city communities I represented in the previous term, and still do, are Pearse Street, Kevin Street and Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8. The levels of systemic discrimination there are unbelievable. The ongoing neglect of communities, flats and other housing, educational opportunities and employment opportunities is unbelievable. There is a real chance to add the tenth status to the equality legislation but the Government has kicked the issue down the road. ISME and small employers will have a point of view, and that is their right, but it is very important that organisations campaigning for equality get behind the addition of the tenth ground of socioeconomic status.

To echo Mr. Holohan's contribution, we talk about systemic discrimination. The conditions so many people in disadvantaged communities are housed in, not only in inner city Dublin and Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8 but right across the country, and the lack of educational and employment opportunities available to them need to be addressed, and not just systemically. Adding the tenth ground would give individuals an opportunity to be heard and take their case. I know of one incident involving a fella from the inner city - just off Pearse Street - who was more than qualified for a particular job. He applied for it and a video was circulated of a senior manager in the company calling him a "ginger knacker" and asking how anybody with an accent like that would be employed in the company. This was clear discrimination but he could not take a case. There are many people like him who cannot take a case to the WRC. That has to change.

Even Trinity College has turned its back on Pearse Street in many ways. Walking down from Trinity College where it joins Pearse Street, you can see that the college has turned its back on Pearse Street all the way down to Westland Row. The street is effectively sterile.

There is huge systemic discrimination and there is individual discrimination. Adding the tenth ground would make a big statement and support those who have been discriminated against. The ATD campaign has highlighted the increasing levels of discrimination based on people's socioeconomic status.

What will the groups present do to roll out a campaign of engagement? Obviously, they are here so that is positive. What will they do to ensure there is an increased campaign in light of the absence of socioeconomic status from this Bill? What campaigns will they organise? What actions will they take to ensure socioeconomic status is added to this legislation? Any of the witnesses can answer those questions.