Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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300. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a company (details supplied) establishing a rule against the use of languages, other than English in its workplace, and making the non-use of the English language a disciplinary matter; and her further views that such policies have a negative impact on the participation of minority groups in the workplace. [9933/15]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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302. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a company (details supplied) establishing a rule against the use of languages, other than English, in its workplace, and making the non-use of the English language a disciplinary matter [9934/15]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 302 together.

Equality legislation prohibits discrimination in the provision of goods and services on nine grounds, including race. Persons who consider they have been discriminated against can bring a complaint to the Equality Tribunal for adjudication and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission can provide advice and assistance to persons wishing to bring such a case.

I cannot comment on the specifics of any individual case as reported in the media or offer advice by way of answer to a Parliamentary Question or otherwise to any of the parties. However, I do want to make a general comment about the importance of an open and welcoming attitude to the many new citizens and new communities that we have in Ireland. In social and cultural terms, the diverse nature of our migrant population, representing as it does people from approximately 200 different countries, exposes us to experiences of new communities coming from a wealth of diverse backgrounds and enriches our society and culture. Indeed, increased linguistic competence in our society has a direct and positive impact on our foreign trade relations and accordingly on employment in Ireland. Exposure to different languages helps us to develop a greater understanding of other cultures and the richness and diversity they can offer. It also helps us as a nation, and as individuals, to appreciate and value in a deeper way those elements of Irish culture which help define us as a nation. Ireland’s changing demographic over the last 10 years has helped to shape a more socially and culturally diverse society and there is no doubt that Ireland will remain a diverse society into the future. Accordingly, it important that we celebrate and harness this diversity and ensure that our communities, our businesses and our schools are inclusive.