Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 75:

In page 39, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following:“(iv) make a decision that a separate hearing for an employment equality case is required, in addition to a general employment rights decision,”.

In terms of amendment No. 75, the Equality Rights Alliance has warned that not all employment cases before the commission will fall neatly into an area, as I mentioned earlier. How will adjudication officers determine an equality claim where they have parallel investigative powers under section 79 of the Employment Equality Act and proceed to hear other aspects of the case where they have no similar powers? Similarly, section 95 of the Employment Equality Act 1998-2012 provides equality officers and the director of the Equality Tribunal with the power to compel witnesses. Again this legislation does not do so for employment law breaches.

On amendment No. 76, the Equality Rights Alliance has warned that this Bill is devoid of reference to claims under the Equal Status Acts and how such cases will be dealt with.