People crying out for equality

TODAY’S launching of an ambitious blueprint aimed at rooting out discrimination across the spectrum of Irish society – including the workplace, in health and education, among disabled people and the poor – will challenge a Government whose performance on equality legislation has been anything but impressive.

In a radical move, the strategic plan drawn up by the Equality Authority for 2003-2005, which will be unveiled by Justice Minister Michael McDowell, will extend the protection of gays and lesbians to the school classroom.

It would be hard to exaggerate the uphill battle facing the authority as it sets out to accelerate progress towards a more equal and inclusive society in Ireland. It will have its work cut out to establish a level playing field in such areas as health and education where inequality is rife.