McDowell panders to wishes of vintners, says equality coalition

THE Government is pandering to the wishes of publicans by proposing changes to the jurisdiction of the Equality Tribunal, a coalition of 12 equality groups claims.

Addressing the Dáil Justice Committee yesterday, the Equality Coalition, made up of civil rights, travellers, disability, and gay and lesbian organisations among others, charged Justice Minister Michael McDowell of paving the way for a complete dismantling of Ireland’s equality laws.

The Equality Coalition is concerned at proposals, outlined in the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2003, to transfer of discrimination cases involving pubs and clubs from the Equality Tribunal to the District Courts.

As Mr McDowell outlined measures contained in the proposed bill, opposition deputies also accused the Government of contempt for Dáil procedure by trying to rush through a bill that, as of yet, is still being drafted.

Mr McDowell told the committee he intended to publish the Bill next week and pass it through the houses of the Oireachtas in just two weeks.Representing the Equality Coalition, Irish Council for Civil Liberties director Aisling Reidy said that to amend the Equal Status Act after just three years in response to pressure from the licensed trade set a very dangerous precedent.

“Such a precedent would pave the way for a fundamental undermining of the Equal Status Act and dismantling of the enforcement machinery. It will have a detrimental affect on the rights of disabled people, older people, members of racial minorities and others currently protected by the act,” she said.

Labour’s Joe Costello said rushing the Bill through was a travesty which bypassed due Dáil process. “The timetable is just an insult to the house and an insult to the procedure. I think we’re in danger of dismantling the whole equality legislation which was so hard fought for and has given the opportunity for vulnerable people to come out of the woodwork and be given a fair hearing,” he said.

Mr McDowell rejected the criticism saying he was trying to produce a common-sense law to deal with an urgent situation: “I am trying to marry common sense with responsibility. Anybody who claims this bill is emasculating the equality law is grossly distorting the situation,” he said.