Quinn told ‘draconian’ law must go

THE Government may have a rethink on a controversial part of the Employment Equality Act, which a union leader claimed discriminates against people on religious grounds.

Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) president Bernie Ruane told Education Minister Ruairi Quinn it is time to remove the “draconian” section 37 of the 1998 act, which relates to religious schools and institutions.

The section allows religious-run schools to give more favourable treatment to prospective employees on religious grounds so as to maintain their ethos.