Equality groups call time on new Bill

EQUALITY groups opposed to the transfer of discrimination cases from the Equality Tribunal to the district court have warned the move could cause the Equal Status Act to collapse.

The proposal to transfer discrimination cases involving licensed premises from the Tribunal to local district courts is contained in the new Intoxicating Liquor Bill.

The coalition of 11 groups, representing human rights, women, disability and Traveller groups, are set to go head-to-head with Justice Minister Michael McDowell next week over the controversial proposal.

The coalition claim it was included by the Government at the behest of publicans, whom they said had political and economic influence over politicians.

“It is very alarming and very disappointing that the Government is trying to roll back on the equality legislation and the Equal Status Act,” Aisling Reidy of the Irish Council of Civil Liberties, a coalition member, said.

The Justice Minister is scheduled to give a presentation to the Dáil Justice Committee next Wednesday on the new Bill.

The Equality Coalition yesterday asked the committee if they could give a presentation following the Minister’s, a request expected to be granted.

Mary Cunningham of the National Youth Council of Ireland said if this Bill was passed it would mark a “rubicon” in Irish equality law.

“This is the thin edge of a wedge,” she said. “This is a quick fix solution by Michael McDowell. It would begin to dismantle the foundations of equality legislation. Potentially, the Equal Status Act could collapse.”

Thomas McCann of the Irish Traveller Movement said it would be far more expensive to take cases in the district court.

He also said the Equality Tribunal had greater powers of investigation than a district court.

Furthermore, the concept of mediation between the parties would no longer be available.

Martin Collins of Pavee Point said the Traveller movement had been “duped” by the Government. He said they had been given assurances by the Minister of State for Justice Willie O’Dea that there would be no changes to the Equal Status Act.

Mary Keogh of the Forum for Persons with Disabilities said that it was ironic that Mr McDowell was transferring discrimination cases to the district courts, while at the same time opposing new legislation on disability rights on the basis that it would clog up the courts.

The ICCL’s Ms Reidy said the Government was risking legal action by introducing the Intoxicating Liquor Bill as it had to implement an EU Race Directive next month obligating member states not to diminish their laws on discrimination.

She said that could explain why the Minister was rushing the Bill through the Dáil.

The Equality Coalition is holding its first public demonstration against the bill outside the Department of Justice on Thursday week at 11am.