Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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524. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out his plans regarding section 37 of the Employment Equality Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9259/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As I stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 5340/14 of 5 February 2014, I have asked the members designate of the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission to examine the impact of Section 37 of the Employment Equality Act on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, to undertake a consultative process and a formal assessment of the options for its amendments and to let me have their recommendations.

The Commission designate invited submissions to be made to them by 13 November by any interested party. I understand that some 60 individual submissions have been received, which are currently being examined. While not in a position yet to say when its report will be completed, the Commission designate has indicated to me that it will be progressed as quickly as possible.

I look forward to receiving a report from the Commission designate with its recommendations in due course. At that stage, I will bring forward my proposals to Government in relation to such amendments as are necessary to the Employment Equality Act.