Traveller complaints to tribunal over pubs jump to 76 a month
Figures published yesterday by the Office of the Director of Equality Investigations (ODEI) show that Traveller complaints about public services are up almost 50% on last year, at 459 for the first six months of 2002 compared to 632 for all of 2001.
Awards to Travellers are also topping the payout list; out of 31,950 awarded for the first six months of the year under the Equal Status Act 2000, 31,350 went to members of the Travelling community.
Chief executive of the Irish Hotel Federation John Power said the ODEI, or equality tribunal, was an easy route to a fast buck for Travellers.
"This sector of the community is abusing the Equal Status Act left, right and centre. Entry and service refusals are made for a variety of reasons to many different groups and individuals, but the Travellers have protection under the Act and can get the ODEI to handle their complaint without any outlay on legal fees. It is a serious cause of concern to us.
"We believe that persons in charge of alcohol have to be able to make split decisions about who to serve but this Act has created fear of sanction if we refuse anyone."
Mr Power's comments were backed by the Vintners Federation of Ireland who pointed out that of 854 complaints referred under the Equal Status Act last year, 644 related to Travellers and only two each to marital status and family status.
"The ODEI figures confirm that the majority of cases being taken are against publicans. The pub trade is now immersed in a daily round of publicity, referrals, court actions and decisions arising out of the Equal Status Act an Act that seems more geared towards the creation of a special status rather than equality."
OEDI director Melanie Pine rejected the suggestion that the equality tribunal offered an easy way to make money out of alleging discrimination.
"I would point out that the process involved in hearing a claim is lengthy, rigorous and firmly based on the law and the evidence presented."
She said the ODEI had a statutory duty to investigate all complaints referred to it.
Martin Collins of Traveller body Pavee Point said the vintners claims were totally without foundation and he challenged them to provide evidence.
"It is the first time in our history that we have had legal redress to an independent institution and the fact that so many cases have gone in our favour is indicative of the discrimination we experience."
The ODEI annual report showed an overall 633% increase in the number of complaints referred to it last year (1,114 in total) under both the Equal Status Act 2000 and the Employment Equality Act 1998. Gender remains the single biggest ground cited in employment related cases, making up 45.5% of last year's complaints and already at 27% this year.
The workload in employment case referrals is up 3.5% under the 1998 Act. By the end of 2002 there will be a backlog of around two years' work in the employment area and three years' work in the equal status area.
