Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

In 2021, I announced a review of the Equal Status Act 2000 and the Employment Equality Act 1998, known collectively as the equality Acts. The review is examining the operation of the equality Acts from the perspective of the person taking a claim under its redress mechanisms. It is further examining the degree to which those experiencing discrimination are aware of the legislation and whether there are practical or other obstacles that preclude or deter them from taking an action.

In July 2021, I launched a public consultation process as part of the review of the equality Acts to examine the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combating discrimination and promoting equality. I was pleased to receive an extensive response to the consultation. A report summarising the key issues raised in the public consultation was published on 12 July 2023. Submissions were received on a wide variety of subjects, including all the equality grounds, namely, gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, membership of the Traveller community and the housing assistance ground. Other issues raised in the submissions included the proposed ground for disadvantaged socioeconomic status and the use of non-disclosure agreements, NDAs, in discrimination settlements. Many submissions also commented on the functioning and accessibility of the equality Acts and proposed how the legislation could be more accessible to the public and better protect people from discrimination.

Detailed work is under way to develop a policy that will underpin the legislative proposals and allow me to bring forward policies to respond on the issues raised during the review process. I intend to bring forward legislative proposals to Cabinet shortly in this regard. We will prioritise the legislative changes that can be implemented most quickly.

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