Seanad debates
Tuesday, 3 December 2002
National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Committee Stage.
I unreservedly condemn discrimination on the grounds of gender or on any other ground. We have on the Statute Book the most modern legislation in Europe to deal with discrimination. If there was no legislation to deal with discrimination, I would contemplate the call by Senator McCarthy to insert an amendment in this legislation. However, this legislation establishes the National Tourism Development Authority and does not touch on issues of equality. There are ways and means by which the Equality Authority and/or any member of the public can make a complaint about discrimination. I understand a complaint of this nature has been made about a certain club and a case is pending before the courts. A decision on that case will create a precedent for other cases to follow. The legislation in place is the most modern in Europe in terms of outlawing discrimination. It received a good reading and debate in this House on all Stages over a protracted period. In those circumstances, there is no question of a semi-State agency becoming involved in supporting discrimination.
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