McDowell to face questions about equality changes

Justice Minister Michael McDowell is due before the Dáil Justice Committee today to answer questions about his plans to water down equality legislation.

Under Mr McDowell's much-vaunted Intoxicating Liquor Bill, the responsibility for hearing discrimination cases involving publicans would move from the Equality Tribunal to the District Court.

Eleven civil rights groups expressed their opposition to the plans earlier this week and have urged the minister to change the legislation.

The groups, representing homosexuals, Travellers and people with disabilities, accused Minister McDowell of diluting Ireland's equality laws to suit the powerful vintners' lobby.