Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Ireland has developed one of the most modern and extensive equality codes in Europe since 1997. The comprehensive Employment Equality Act 1998, which outlaws discrimination on nine distinct grounds, including sexual orientation, deals with discrimination in work related areas from vocational training to access to employment. The Act, which was introduced by the current Government, relates to employment conditions in general. The Equal Status Act 2000, which provides protection for the first time against discrimination outside the field of employment, complements the 1998 Act and covers the same nine grounds. The Act, which gives those who are discriminated against a statutory means of redress, has a broad-ranging scope, covering the provision of goods and services, the disposal of premises, accommodation, education and registered clubs. Ireland remains one of the few European countries to specifically outlaw discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation in relation to access to goods and services. That legislation was introduced by this Government. When the Labour Party was in government, it produced a Bill that collapsed because it was found to be unconstitutional.

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